By Nokwanda Ncwane
Meta has introduced a new safety feature that will notify parents using Instagram’s parental supervision tools if their teenager discusses suicide or self-harm with Meta AI, while also providing resources to help parents navigate these sensitive conversations.
The feature forms part of Meta’s broader efforts to strengthen online safety for teenagers using its platforms and artificial intelligence tools.
According to the company, when a teenager indicates that they may be thinking about suicide or self-harm during a conversation with Meta AI, the chatbot already directs them to crisis support services and encourages them to seek help from a parent, guardian or another trusted adult, such as a counsellor.
Under the new update, Meta AI will also proactively alert supervising parents if a conversation suggests that a teenager may be at risk. The alerts are based on behavioural signals developed in consultation with mental health experts and are accompanied by guidance to help parents approach the conversation with their child.
“We worked with parents and experts to understand which AI conversations warrant an alert, such as those where a teen makes a clear reference to hurting themselves, even if that reference is subtle. We then built a dedicated AI system to identify these conversations,” the company said.
The alerts are now available to parents using Instagram’s parental supervision tools in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada. Meta said the feature will be rolled out globally by the end of the year.
Larry Magid, chief executive officer and co-founder of internet safety organisation ConnectSafely, welcomed the new feature, saying it strikes an appropriate balance between protecting teenagers’ privacy and ensuring parents are informed when there are signs that their child may be at risk.
“While I believe that teens have a right to privacy, I also believe parents need to be informed if their teen may be at risk of hurting themselves.
“That’s why I advocated for this approach and support Meta’s decision to notify parents when, after careful review, it determines that a conversation with Meta AI contains indications of possible suicide or self-harm that warrant an alert. I appreciate how Meta struck the right balance, protecting teen privacy while ensuring parents have the information they need to support their teen,” Magid said.
The new feature comes amid growing global concern about young people’s mental health and the role digital platforms play in supporting users experiencing emotional distress. Technology companies have faced increasing pressure from governments, regulators and child safety advocates to introduce stronger safeguards for minors using social media and artificial intelligence tools.
In South Africa, mental health remains a significant public health challenge. According to the Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, the country’s suicide rate is estimated at approximately 23.5 deaths per 100,000 people, making it one of the highest in Africa. Suicide is also the second leading cause of death among young people aged 15 to 29, underscoring the importance of early intervention and access to mental health support.
