Instagram to Alert Parents on Teen Self-Harm Searches

Meta has announced that Instagram will soon begin notifying parents if their teenage children repeatedly search for content related to suicide or self-harm.

The new feature will roll out in the coming weeks in the United States, Britain, Australia, and Canada. The company said the alerts will expand to more regions later in 2026.

Under the update, parents who use Instagram’s parental supervision tools will receive notifications if a teen makes multiple searches for suicide- or self-harm-related terms within a short period of time. Alerts will be sent through email, text message, WhatsApp, and directly within the Instagram app.

Along with the alert, parents will also receive expert-backed resources and guidance to help them handle sensitive conversations with their children.

Instagram already blocks direct searches for terms linked to suicide and self-harm. Instead of showing harmful content, the platform directs users to helplines and support organizations. However, the new system is designed to identify cases where teens repeatedly attempt to search for such content despite these restrictions.

Meta said it worked with its Suicide and Self-Harm Advisory Group to decide when alerts should be triggered. The company added that it has chosen to act cautiously, even if that means some parents may receive alerts in situations where there is no serious risk.

The announcement comes as Meta faces growing legal and regulatory pressure over child safety concerns. Recently, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg testified in a major trial in California. The case involves accusations that social media companies knowingly designed platforms that could lead to addiction among minors. It is one of the first such cases to reach a jury.

At the same time, several countries are moving to limit children’s access to social media. Australia has already banned users under 16 from social media platforms. Other countries, including France, Denmark, Spain, and the United Kingdom, are also working on similar restrictions.

With this new alert system, Meta says it aims to strengthen online safety for young users while giving parents better tools to monitor and support their children.