The decision comes amid growing concerns about the impact of social media on the mental health of young users; Meta has come under fire for its platforms that allegedly encourage addictive behavior among young people. In response, the tech giant is taking proactive measures to solve these problems and strengthen security measures for its young audience.

Instagram’s upcoming privacy feature will use machine learning algorithms deployed natively on devices to detect nudity in images shared through the platform’s messaging system. Notably, this feature will be enabled by default for users under 18, and adult users will also be notified about the feature’s availability.

An important aspect of this initiative is its focus on maintaining end-to-end encryption on private conversations. Instagram analyzes images directly on the user’s device, ensuring privacy even in encrypted chats where Meta does not have access to the content. However, the company remains committed to improving security across all its platforms and plans to implement encryption for Instagram’s private conversations in the future.

In addition to addressing nudity issues, Meta is actively developing technology to detect accounts participating in sexual blackmail schemes and warn users. This proactive approach aims to protect users from potential abuse and help create a safer online environment for all Instagram users.

As it prepares to launch these new features, Instagram emphasizes that the platform continues to prioritize the safety and well-being of its users, especially its younger audience. Using technology and user feedback, Meta continues to improve its services to meet new challenges in the digital environment.