October 20, 2025 – Following the widespread rollout of its AI chatbots across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, Meta has unveiled a significant update to its parental control features, aiming to enhance safety and transparency for younger users.
According to reports, Instagram head Adam Mosseri and Meta’s Chief AI Officer Alexander Wang announced that parents will soon have access to tools allowing them to monitor and restrict their teens’ interactions with AI-powered digital characters. The new system enables caregivers to either completely block access to AI chatbots or selectively disable specific roles their children may engage with. However, Meta’s proprietary AI assistant will remain accessible without restrictions, as it is designed to deliver educational and informational content with built-in age-appropriate safeguards.
Meta also plans to introduce “overview insights” for parents, though the exact format has not been finalized. These summaries are expected to highlight key topics discussed between teens and both AI characters and Meta’s assistant, fostering more informed conversations about digital engagement. “Our goal is to empower families to navigate AI interactions responsibly,” Mosseri and Wang stated in a joint announcement.
The update, slated for early next year, will initially launch in English for Instagram users in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia. Meta intends to expand availability to additional platforms and regions over time, with further details to be announced “soon.”
This marks one of Meta’s first major safety overhauls since integrating AI chatbots into its apps. The move coincides with another recent policy shift: tightening content restrictions for teens on Instagram to align with PG-13 ratings, ensuring a safer browsing experience.
By prioritizing parental oversight and age-sensitive design, Meta aims to balance innovation with accountability as AI becomes increasingly central to social media interactions.
