Instagram is calling on the European Union to introduce new regulations requiring app stores to implement age verification and parental approval systems.
The platform argues that such protections, applied consistently across all apps, are essential to safeguarding teenagers from harmful content online.
‘The EU needs consistent standards for all apps, to help keep teens safe, empower parents and preserve privacy,’ Instagram said in a blog post.
The company believes the most effective way to achieve this is by introducing protections at the source—before teenagers download apps from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
Instagram is proposing that app stores verify users’ ages and require parental approval for teen app downloads. The social media platform cites new research from Morning Consult showing that three in four parents support such legislation.
Most parents also view app stores, rather than individual apps, as the safer and more manageable point for controlling what their teens can access.
To reinforce its position, Instagram points to its own safety efforts, such as the introduction of Teen Accounts. These private-by-default profiles limit teen exposure to messages and content from unknown users, and apply stricter filters to reduce exposure to sensitive material.
Instagram says it is working with civil society groups, industry partners, and European policymakers to push for rules that protect young users across platforms. With teen safety a growing concern, the company insists that industry-wide, enforceable solutions are urgently needed.
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