Meta launches Instagram Guide for Sri Lankan parents

Meta has brought the Instagram Parents’ Guide to Sri Lanka to provide a better understanding of the features that keep teenagers and youth safe and help them have positive experiences on the platform.

The Guide was launched in partnership with the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA), National Youth Services Council (NYSC), Sarvodaya Fusion, Hithawathi, and Child Protection Force, Meta said in a media release.

According to UNDP, there are over 4.6 million adolescents in Sri Lanka, comprising almost a quarter of the country’s population. Instagram is popular among teenagers around the world who use it to express who they are and connect with diverse communities that share their passions and interests.

“We want Instagram to be a safe and supportive space for teenagers to express their authentic selves and share real issues that affect their lives,” said Tara Bedi, Instagram Policy Programs Manager at Meta, APAC at Meta. “We hope that with better digital skills, access to reliable information, and support groups about mental health, parents will feel empowered to have meaningful conversations with their children about their online safety and well-being.”

Recently Instagram also launched Take A Break, a new feature created to empower users, especially teens, to make informed decisions about how they are spending their time on the platform. If someone has been scrolling for a certain amount of time, the app asks them to take a break and suggests that they set reminders to do so in the future. It also shows them tips from experts to help them reflect and reset, according to the release.

Damitha Wickremasinghe, Chairman, National Youth Services Council appreciated the partnership with Meta to design the Instagram Guide. He said, “Today the Internet and social media have become indispensable in our lives. Instagram is an important medium for the youth to showcase their skills, share ideas, build community, and create new business opportunities. Since I work with the youth all the time, I know their potential to make a positive impact on society. It is our responsibility to ensure that they are using the platform with proper guidance.”