When you’re struggling to sleep, it can be all too tempting to reach for your phone and start scrolling through Instagram.
But the days of realising it’s suddenly 4am could soon be a thing of the past thanks to Instagram’s latest update.
Meta, which owns both Instgram and Facebook, has launched two new tools to nudge teens to manage their time on the apps.
‘These updates have been designed to help teens feel in control of their online experiences and help parents feel equipped to support their teens,’ Meta explained.
Here’s everything you need to know about the new features.
Meta, which owns both Instgram and Facebook, has launched two new tools to nudge teens to manage their time on the apps
The first new tool will see teens receive a notification if they’ve spent a prolonged period on Facebook.
‘Teens will see a notification when they’ve spent 20 minutes on Facebook, prompting them to take time away from the app and set daily time limits,’ Meta explained.
Meanwhile, over on Instagram, they’ll receive a ‘nudge’ if the app detects they’re scrolling through Reels at night.
‘We’re also exploring a new nudge on Instagram that suggests teens close the app if they are scrolling Reels at night,’ Meta added.
The new features come shortly after the launch of Quiet Mode on Instagram – a feature that encourages users to set boundaries with their friends and followers.
The first update will see teens receive a notification if they’ve spent a prolonged period on Facebook
Quiet Mode mutes notifications and sends auto-replies to direct messages (DMs).
It also adds a new ‘in quiet mode’ status underneath Instagram profile names, accompanied by a small crescent moon icon, for others to see.
Instagram users can toggle Quiet Mode on and off in the app’s settings and choose to set a time period for it to activate automatically.
Users will also receive a prompt asking if they want to turn on Quiet Mode after they’ve spent ‘several minutes’ on Instagram at night.
Quiet Mode is already available to users in the UK, the US, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, but will now be rolling out globally.
