Instagram is becoming a more paternalistic platform with the introduction of its PG-13 safety system, taking a much stronger and more direct hand in curating the feeds of its teenage users. The move marks a shift away from user autonomy and toward platform-led protection.
The new “13+” default setting for all under-18s is the mechanism for this paternalism. Instead of providing tools and leaving teens to their own devices, the platform is now making a default judgment about what is best for them, filtering their content automatically.
This “platform as parent” approach extends to the requirement for actual parental consent to leave the protected environment. In this model, Instagram acts as the primary guardian, with the biological parent serving as a secondary authority who can grant exceptions.
This shift is a response to the argument that a completely open platform is not a suitable environment for adolescents, who are still developing their critical thinking and impulse control. It acknowledges that some level of external guidance is necessary.
However, this increased paternalism is not without controversy. It raises questions about censorship, the potential for algorithmic bias in what gets filtered, and whether a more controlled environment truly prepares teens for the realities of the wider, unfiltered internet. The platform is taking on a new role, and with it, a new level of responsibility and scrutiny.