If you're concerned about keeping your kids safe on social media but still want to keep them connected, Meta is introducing a new type of Facebook and Messenger account just for teens under 16.

Available soon

These special teen accounts, which are not available yet but will be "soon," will have built-in protections that restrict who can contact them and what kind of content they can see, plus safeguards to make sure time is well spent. Teens are automatically enrolled at sign-up, and they need a parent's consent to change any settings.

Also: How to delete Facebook, Messenger, or Instagram - if you want Meta out of your life

At present, Meta requires people to be 13 years old to sign up for a Facebook or Instagram account.

Meta's announcement did not dive into specifics, but a company representative speaking to TechCrunch revealed some details.

How the new teen accounts will work

For one, teens will only be able to receive messages from accounts they follow or have messaged before. In addition, only a teen account's friends can see and reply to stories. Comments, tags, and mentions are also limited to followers and friends. Teens will get a reminder to put down social media after an hour of use, and "Sleep mode" turns on overnight.

Also: Want to make money from Facebook stories? Here's how you can

The company introduced similar accounts for Instagram last fall. That platform has many of the same restrictions, but also includes "Sensitive content restrictions" to limit the type of content (like violent content or cosmetic procedures) and anti-bullying features to filter offensive words and phrases from comment sections and DM requests.

In addition to the new rollout, Instagram teen accounts are getting some new restrictions. Adding on to the built-in controls already in place, teens under 16 are prohibited from going live without a parent's approval and are prohibited from turning off a feature that blurs suspected nudity in DMs. Meta says those updates are coming "in the next couple of months."

Also: Miss the old Facebook? The 'friends-only' tab is here to help you reclaim your feed

Meta is using AI to analyze teen accounts to catch those lying about their age, but it did not announce a similar policy for Facebook and Messenger.

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