A recent investigation uncovered a concerning trend on Instagram, where accounts designated for 13-year-olds were being flooded with sexually suggestive content within minutes. The study, conducted over seven months by the Wall Street Journal in collaboration with Laura Edelson of Northeastern University, revealed alarming findings about the app’s content recommendations for young users.

After setting up multiple accounts with the age specified as 13 and engaging with the platform, Instagram quickly began serving sexual videos to these new users. Unlike other social media platforms like Snapchat and TikTok, Instagram appeared to prioritize adult content creators offering explicit material to young audiences.

According to Edelson, there were noticeable differences in the type of content recommended to teenagers on various platforms. Even TikTok, known for its younger user base, seemed to display less explicit content compared to Instagram’s Reels targeted at teens.

Responding to the investigation, a spokesperson for Meta, the parent company of Instagram, dismissed the findings as an “artificial experiment” not reflective of teens’ actual usage patterns on the app. However, the study revealed disturbing instances where underage accounts were exposed to sexually explicit videos and promises of explicit photos in exchange for engagement.

Despite Meta’s efforts to reduce sensitive content for teenagers, the investigation highlighted the ongoing challenge of safeguarding young users from inappropriate material on social media. With reports of accounts designed for minors quickly transitioning from innocent content to sexually suggestive material, concerns over platform regulation and content moderation have been reignited.

As more young users turn to social media for entertainment and connection, the responsibility falls on tech companies to create safe environments for all users, especially minors. The revelations from this investigation underscore the importance of ongoing monitoring and regulation to protect vulnerable populations from harmful content online.