British Columbia’s Attorney General, David Eby, has announced that changes will be made to Instagram’s account settings for young users in the province. These changes are expected to be the minimum requirement for the social media platform to ensure the safety and privacy of its young users.
Eby stated that the changes will include default settings that will limit the amount of personal information that can be shared by users under the age of 18. This will include restricting the ability to share their location and limiting the visibility of their posts to a smaller audience.
The Attorney General also emphasized the importance of parental involvement in their children’s social media use. He encouraged parents to have open and honest conversations with their children about the potential risks of sharing personal information online.
These changes come after a report by the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia, which found that Instagram’s current privacy settings for young users were inadequate. The report also highlighted the need for social media platforms to take responsibility for protecting the privacy of their young users.
Eby’s announcement has been met with support from child advocacy groups, who have long been advocating for stricter privacy settings for young users on social media platforms. They believe that these changes will help protect children from potential online predators and cyberbullying.
In response to the announcement, Instagram has stated that they are committed to working with the British Columbia government to implement these changes and ensure the safety of their young users.
It is important for social media platforms to prioritize the safety and privacy of their young users, and these changes by Instagram are a step in the right direction. With the increasing use of social media by young people, it is crucial for platforms to have adequate measures in place to protect their users.
