Instagram’s Tougher Teen Safety Rules

Meta Platforms Introduces New Teen Safety Measures on Instagram

Meta Platforms has implemented new Instagram safety features for teens, following years of pressure from legislators, lawsuits, and public demand. These updates introduce private-by-default “teen accounts” for users under 18, restricting adults from messaging or viewing content unless they’re already connected. Parental permission is required for users under 16 to adjust these settings.

Despite the improvements, potential issues remain. Teens can still accept follow requests from adults, allowing messaging, although a new parental supervision feature lets parents monitor who their teen interacts with. The effectiveness of these measures depends heavily on parental involvement, which can be inconsistent, as seen in recent incidents.

Instagram’s ongoing challenge is age verification. The platform has discussed this for years but hasn’t yet provided a robust solution to prevent teens from lying about their age.

This update builds on past announcements about teen safety, though some view it as a delayed response, given Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri’s previous statements about prioritizing user well-being and online safety.

Salesforce Showcases AI at Dreamforce Conference

At Salesforce’s annual Dreamforce event, CEO Marc Benioff introduced the company’s AI-powered suite, “Agentforce,” aimed at helping businesses manage various processes. Customers like Disney and Saks Fifth Avenue are already using the technology for functions such as customer support and traffic management.

While Benioff highlighted the potential of Agentforce, its capabilities appeared similar to other AI solutions from competitors like Microsoft and ServiceNow. During the presentation, Benioff brushed off concerns about differences between Salesforce’s offering and rival products, emphasizing customer experiences over technical comparisons.

Other Notable Updates

• Snap unveiled a new generation of its augmented reality glasses, Spectacles.
• EssilorLuxottica and Meta extended their partnership to develop smart eyewear for another decade.
• Donald Trump introduced a crypto project, World Liberty Financial, though its purpose remains unclear.
• JPMorgan Chase is in talks to take over Apple’s credit card program.
• Microsoft and BlackRock plan to launch a $30 billion fund to develop AI-focused data centers and power plants.