For Nigerian parents, concerns about safety-nigeria/” title=”TikTok Takes the Lead in Championing Online … Across Nigeria and Beyond”>online safety are as pressing as local challenges. You want your child to explore, learn, and engage in the digital world confidently, yet you also seek reassurance that they are shielded from harmful content and inappropriate interactions. Fortunately, that peace of mind is now within reach.
Meta, the American tech giant behind platforms like Facebook, has rolled out Teen Accounts globally for Facebook and Messenger. These accounts come with the platform’s most stringent privacy settings automatically applied to users aged 13 to 17, ensuring a safer online environment for young users.
In 2024, Instagram Teen Accounts received positive feedback, with 97% of teens aged 13-15 maintaining the default privacy settings, and 94% of parents in the US expressing that these accounts would be beneficial. Building on this success, Meta expanded Teen Accounts worldwide starting April 8th, 2025, initially launching in the UK, US, and Australia.
parental supervision for Facebook teen accounts” class=”wp-image-262120″ />The most effective way to ensure your child’s safety is by enabling Parental Supervision through Meta’s Family Center.
Meta explains, “Our goal is to simplify how parents can oversee their teens’ experiences across our apps. With the introduction of Teen Accounts on Facebook and Messenger, we provide automatic safeguards to restrict exposure to inappropriate content and unwanted contacts, while also helping teens manage their time online effectively.”
This article outlines a clear, practical guide for Nigerian parents to create a secure account for their child and maintain transparent oversight of their digital activities.
Comprehensive Steps to Set Up Parental Supervision
To properly configure the account and activate parental controls, both the parent and teen must consent to link their accounts through the Meta Family Center.
Phase 1: Parent Sends the Invitation
- Sign in to Your Facebook Profile: Begin by logging into your personal Facebook account.
- Navigate to Family Center: Within your account settings, go to Settings & Privacy, then select Settings. Find the section labeled Family Center or Supervision under Tools and Resources.
- Generate an Invitation: Click on “Create an invite” or “Invite a teen” for Facebook. Meta will produce a unique invitation link or code.
- Send the Invitation: Share this link with your child via email, WhatsApp, or Messenger. Keep in mind the link is secure but usually expires after 48 hours, so prompt action is necessary.
Phase 2: Teen Approves Supervision
- Access the Invitation: Ensure your child has an active Facebook account before they click the invitation link on their device.
- Review Terms and Consent: The teen will be directed to a page outlining what information parents can and cannot view (for example, parents cannot read private messages but can see contacts and screen time). The teen must read and agree to these terms to proceed.
- Confirm Account Linking: Once the teen accepts, parental supervision activates immediately, securely linking both accounts.
Phase 3: Parent Oversees Safety Settings
Once the accounts are linked, parents can control safety features through the Family Center dashboard:
- Establish Screen Time Limits: Define daily usage caps and enable “Sleep Mode” to silence notifications between 10 PM and 7 AM.
- Control Privacy Changes (Ages 13-15): Approve or reject your teen’s requests to modify default privacy settings, such as switching their profile from Private to Public.
- Monitor Contacts: Review your child’s Facebook Friends and Messenger contacts to confirm they interact only with trusted individuals.
- Track Blocking and Reporting: View who your teen has blocked and receive notifications if they report inappropriate content or abusive accounts, provided they choose to share these reports with you.
By combining Meta’s built-in protections with your active supervision, you establish a transparent and cooperative environment that significantly enhances your child’s online safety.
Important Points for Parents to Remember
- Age Requirement: Facebook requires users to be at least 13 years old. Creating an account for a younger child violates the platform’s Terms of Service and risks account removal.
- Default Safeguards: Even without parental supervision enabled, Teen Accounts automatically apply stricter privacy controls, content filters, and screen time reminders for users under 18 in Nigeria.
- Mutual Consent: Parental supervision is voluntary and requires agreement from both parent and teen. Teens can discontinue supervision at any time, but parents will be notified immediately.
This development marks a crucial step forward for Nigerian families, offering automatic safety measures for young users while empowering parents to actively manage their child’s digital wellbeing through the Family Center dashboard.
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