Meta Platforms has introduced a new parental supervision feature designed to give parents greater insight into how teenagers are using artificial intelligence across its apps, as AI becomes an increasingly common source of advice and information for young people.
The new tool, called “Insights,” will be available on Facebook, Instagram and Messenger. It allows parents to view the broad topics their teenagers have discussed with Meta’s AI assistant over the previous seven days. The feature does not reveal the content of conversations, instead offering a summary of general subject areas such as school, relationships, lifestyle, travel, and health and wellbeing.
The move comes as teenagers increasingly turn to AI tools not only for help with schoolwork but also for personal guidance and everyday questions. Industry experts say this shift highlights the growing role AI is playing in shaping the way young people think, learn and make decisions.
Morey Haber, chief security adviser at BeyondTrust, said the feature reflects the expanding influence of AI in teenagers’ lives. He warned that without appropriate oversight, AI could become an unseen source of advice that influences beliefs and choices without parental awareness.
“AI is no longer simply a tool,” Haber said. “It has the potential to shape decisions, attitudes and perspectives, particularly among younger users.”
Experts stressed, however, that the feature is intended to support guidance rather than constant monitoring. Santiago Pontiroli, team lead for threat intelligence research at Acronis, said the primary benefit is that it can help parents spot possible exposure to harmful or concerning topics before problems escalate.
He said the most effective use of such tools is as an early warning system, combined with trust, digital literacy and open communication between parents and children.
Rather than restricting access, specialists recommend using the information as a starting point for discussion. If parents notice a recurring interest in certain topics, they should engage in calm, supportive conversations instead of imposing immediate limitations.
To support this approach, Meta is also providing conversation prompts intended to help parents discuss online experiences with their teenagers in a constructive and non-judgmental way.
The launch also reflects growing expectations that technology companies must build stronger safeguards into AI products aimed at younger users. Experts say parental controls are only one part of a broader safety framework that should also include content moderation, reporting tools and educational resources.
Pontiroli noted that as AI becomes more deeply integrated into everyday digital platforms, companies will need to expand protections. These may include stronger content filters, clearer labelling of AI-generated material and improved education to help young users critically assess the information they encounter.
As AI adoption continues to accelerate, specialists believe ongoing risk assessment and adaptive safety measures will become increasingly important in protecting young users online.
