Instagram to alert parents if teens search for suicide or self-harm content

Instagram has announced a new safety feature designed to help parents become aware if their children are repeatedly searching for content related to suicide or self-harm while on the platform.

The move comes as part of a broader effort by the company to address growing concerns over the impact of social media on young peoples health. It will start rolling out in the US, UK, Australia and Canada from next week and Ireland later this year.

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Under the new system, parents or guardians who have turned on Instagram's supervision tools will receive a notification if their child's account shows multiple searches for terms associated with suicide or self-harm within a short period of time.

Instagram already blocks suicide and self-harm related terms from appearing in search results for teenagers accounts and redirects users to support resources and helplines.

The alert feature will build on the already existing measures by notifying parents or guardians and letting them know their child may be struggling and in need of help.

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Parents will then receive notifications through a range of channels including WhatsApp or email to alert them and it will also include links to resources designed to help guide sensitive conversations about mental health and wellbeing.

This comes amid mounting scrutiny of social media companies responsibilities toward younger users as countries like Australia, China, France and even Ireland have taken measures to ban social media for under 16s.