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On Thursday, Instagram announced new measures aimed at protecting users, particularly teenagers, from being exploited by online scammers. As part of its ongoing efforts, the platform will now prevent people from taking screenshots or screen-recording images and videos meant to be viewed only once. This change is part of a broader initiative by Instagram’s parent company, Meta, to clamp down on online abuse, including the blackmailing of teens through explicit images.
Meta made the announcement revealing several new safety features. The changes come in response to growing concerns about the rise in sextortion cases, particularly among teenage boys, who have become common targets for scammers. Law enforcement agencies worldwide have reported an increase in incidents where victims are tricked into sharing intimate images, which are then used to extort money or further exploit them.
The UK’s Internet Watch Foundation reported in March that 91% of sextortion cases involved teenage boys, highlighting the urgent need for more robust protections.
Sextortion is a form of online abuse where scammers manipulate individuals into sending explicit material, which they then use to blackmail their victims. The emotional toll on those targeted is severe, often leading to stress, shame, and, in some tragic cases, suicide.
In light of these concerns, Meta’s new tools aim to provide greater security for its younger users. In addition to blocking screenshots and screen recordings of disappearing images and videos, Meta has also made permanent features like blurring nude images in messages and hiding follower and following lists from accounts that may pose a threat. This feature will make it harder for potential predators to access teen accounts through their social connections.
Antigone Davis, Meta’s global head of safety, emphasized the importance of these protections, stating that the company has built systems designed to safeguard teens without requiring parents to take action. However, Davis acknowledged the evolving nature of the threat, admitting that scammers will continue to find ways to bypass the platform’s defenses. Meta has also launched a campaign aimed at educating teens and their parents on how to spot and avoid sextortion attempts.
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