Introduction
Instagram has initiated a comprehensive campaign to combat the growing issue of sextortion, particularly targeting teenagers [3] [7]. This effort, in collaboration with child safety organizations [2], aims to enhance user security through new safety features and educational initiatives.
Description
Instagram has launched a comprehensive campaign aimed at preventing and addressing the rise of sextortion, particularly among teenagers [3] [4]. This initiative [5] [9], developed in collaboration with child safety experts from Thorn and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) [2], includes a suite of new safety features designed to detect and block accounts exhibiting suspicious behavior, thereby enhancing the security of ephemeral images sent via direct messages [4]. A significant enhancement is the prohibition of screenshots and screen recordings of temporary images [5] [10], which will now display a black screen when a user attempts to capture an image meant for one-time viewing [8]. If the sender allows replays [6], access to these will be blocked on the web, although this does not eliminate the risk of scammers capturing content using other devices. This measure goes beyond similar features on Snapchat and is part of a broader initiative to prevent users from being manipulated into sharing intimate images with scammers who may later blackmail them.
To further safeguard young users, Instagram has introduced a more restrictive Teen Account setting that defaults to private and limits contact with users aged 16 and younger [4], who are also restricted from changing their account settings without parental permission [2]. The platform will utilize indicators [6], such as account age and mutual followers [3], to identify suspicious behavior [6], automatically blocking follow requests from these accounts and restricting them from viewing followers and following lists. This tactic is designed to limit potential blackmail opportunities. An alert system will notify teens when they receive messages from potentially scammy accounts [3], especially if the messages originate from different countries [3], which can be a red flag for potential scams [5]. Additionally, Instagram is testing safety notices in direct messages and Messenger to alert users about potential risks when communicating with individuals in different countries [4].
Instagram’s efforts also include a tool that automatically detects and warns users under 18 if incoming direct messages contain nudity before they open them. This nudity protection feature is being rolled out globally and will be enabled by default for teen users [10]. Images flagged for containing nudity will be blurred automatically for these users [8], and those sending private photos will receive warnings about the associated risks [10]. Furthermore, suspicious accounts will be restricted from seeing who has liked posts or tagged in photos, further protecting potential victims.
In collaboration with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the child safety research group Thorn [5], Instagram is providing support for users reporting child safety or sextortion issues [10], offering an option to connect with Crisis Text Line for free crisis counseling [4]. Victims reporting sextortion will also have access to live chat support with Crisis Text Line volunteers [4]. The platform plans to educate teens and parents about sextortion through a public service announcement aimed at raising awareness in the US, UK [6], Canada [2] [6], and Australia [2] [6]. This campaign will inform viewers about the nature of the crime, how to recognize it [1], and where to seek help [1], aiming to alleviate the shame that often prevents victims from seeking assistance [1]. A video included in the campaign educates teens on recognizing potential sextortion scammers [2], highlighting behaviors such as aggressive advances [2], requests for photo exchanges [2], and attempts to shift conversations to other messaging platforms [2]. These comprehensive measures come in response to a reported 300% increase in financial sextortion attempts from 2021 to 2023 and align with regulatory expectations for enhanced child safety. Meta has also taken action against organized sextortion efforts by removing numerous Facebook groups and accounts linked to cybercriminal activities [3], further demonstrating its commitment to user safety across its platforms. Despite these measures [1] [2], experts emphasize that the problem of sextortion extends beyond Meta’s platforms [2], calling for stronger accountability and laws [2], while also stressing the importance of parental involvement in monitoring and guiding children’s use of these platforms [2].
Conclusion
Instagram’s campaign against sextortion represents a significant step in enhancing online safety for teenagers. By implementing advanced security features and educational resources, the platform aims to mitigate the risks associated with sextortion. However, the issue extends beyond Instagram, necessitating broader legal and parental involvement to ensure comprehensive protection for young users.
References
[1] https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/meta-unveils-features-combat-teen-sextortion-rcna175929
[2] https://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/meta-attempts-to-crack-down-on-sextortion-in-new-campaign-1.7077769
[3] https://www.engadget.com/social-media/instagram-is-adding-new-features-to-prevent-teen-sextortion-scams-111047916.html
[4] https://mashable.com/article/instagram-sextortion-campaign-teens
[5] https://www.cnet.com/tech/services-and-software/instagram-adds-new-safety-tools-to-protect-teens-against-sextortion/
[6] https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/17/24272522/instagram-teen-sextortion-safety-features-update
[7] https://www.cybersecurityintelligence.com/blog/instagram-aims-to-stop-sextortion-7999.html
[8] https://www.forbes.com/sites/lindseychoo/2024/10/17/instagram-sextortion-child-safety/
[9] https://about.fb.com/news/2024/10/instagram-campaign-protect-teens-sextortion-scams/
[10] https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/17/instagram-rolls-out-new-safety-features-to-protect-teens-from-sextortion/
