PIERRE, S.D. – South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley commended Meta’s announcement Tuesday that the company will restrict the Instagram content seen by teenagers, calling the decision an important step toward protecting children.
The move follows legal action taken by Jackley, who joined 41 other Attorneys General last year in filing federal or state lawsuits against Meta. The lawsuits allege the company knowingly designed and developed harmful, addictive features on Instagram and other social media platforms that purposefully addicted children and teens.
“I want to thank Meta for taking action to protect children online. These new policies are an important step toward creating a safer digital environment for young people,” said Attorney General Jackley. “I appreciate Meta’s willingness to listen and respond to the concerns raised by my office and other attorneys general across the country. Our children deserve platforms that put their safety and well-being first, and today’s announcement moves us closer to that goal.”
Under the new policy, teenagers on Instagram will be restricted by default to seeing content similar to what they would encounter in a PG-13 movie- meaning the platform will limit exposure to sex, drugs, or dangerous stunts, among other topics. Children using teen-specific accounts will not be able to change these settings without a parent’s permission.