KUALA LUMPUR - Meta Platforms announced an expansion of its age-appropriate content controls on Instagram in Malaysia, placing teenagers under stricter default settings designed to mirror what they might see in films rated for those aged 13 and above.
Under the update, users under 18 will automatically be placed into a revised 13+ content setting. They will not be able to opt out of these protections without parental permission.
The move means teens may still encounter occasional suggestive content or strong language, similar to a typical 13+ film but Meta says such instances will be kept to a minimum, with further improvements planned over time.
The company behind Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp said the changes aim to reassure parents while giving them more tools to shape their children’s online experience.
Meta Public Policy, Central Southeast Asia and Asean director Clara Koh said the rollout reflects Meta Platforms’ wider push to strengthen online protections for young users in Malaysia, particularly by ensuring safer default settings and giving parents greater control over what their children see on Instagram.
"Keeping teens safe online is our top priority and I am pleased to announce we’re launching additional safety features to teens and parents in Malaysia today.
"We understand that every family is different, which is why we are also introducing Limited Content, a new, stricter setting that empowers parents who prefer extra controls to further shape what their teen sees on Instagram," she said in a media briefing today.
The updated system builds on existing safeguards that already limit exposure to sexually suggestive material, graphic imagery and adult-related content.
New measures will go further by filtering out posts with strong language, risky stunts and material that could encourage harmful behaviour, including content showing marijuana-related items.
Meta said it has also improved its technology to better detect and block inappropriate material.
Accounts that frequently share such content will no longer be visible or accessible to teen users and these accounts will also be restricted from interacting with them.
Search functions have also been tightened. Teens will be blocked from viewing results linked to a broader range of sensitive or mature topics, even if search terms are misspelled.
The restrictions extend across the platform, including recommendations, feeds, stories and direct messages.
Teens will not be able to open links to content that violates the updated guidelines, even if it is shared with them privately.
The company said it has also adjusted its artificial intelligence systems to ensure responses remain appropriate for users under 18, based on the same 13+ content framework.
For parents seeking stricter controls, a new 'Limited Content' setting will filter additional material and remove teens’ ability to see or interact with comments on posts.
The updated safeguards are being rolled out gradually to users in Malaysia and are expected to be fully implemented in the coming months.