Instagram will soon alert parents if their teen repeatedly searches for suicide or self-harm-related terms within a short period of time. The company said the feature will roll out in the coming weeks for families who use Instagram’s parental supervision tools. Parents will receive notifications if search activity crosses a set threshold.
Meta said the platform already blocks direct searches for suicide and self-harm content and redirects users to support resources. However, these new alerts aim to inform parents when a teen keeps trying to search for harmful terms so they can step in and offer support before the situation worsens.
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In a blog post, Instagram explained how it decided when to trigger these alerts.
“In working to strike this important balance, we analyzed Instagram search behavior and consulted with experts from our Suicide and Self-Harm Advisory Group. We chose a threshold that requires a few searches within a short period of time, while still erring on the side of caution.”
The company added that it wants to avoid overusing notifications because frequent alerts would make them less useful.
How the Alerts Work
Instagram will send alerts through email, text message, or WhatsApp, depending on the contact details parents provide. Parents will also see an in-app notification that includes guidance on how to start a conversation with their teen and links to support resources. Searches that trigger alerts include phrases that encourage suicide, suggest self-harm, or signal emotional distress.
The feature will launch first in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada, and Instagram plans to expand it to other regions later this year. The company also said it will introduce similar alerts if teens try to discuss suicide or self-harm with its AI tools in the future.
The update comes as Meta faces lawsuits over claims that its platforms harm teens and fail to provide adequate safeguards.
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