Instagram's 'Fresh Start' feature will let you reset your recommended content

Meta-owned Instagram has been making significant changes to how the social media site operates and recommends content, especially focusing on original content in Instagram recommendations and creating a safer online environment for teens. 

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Today, in a blog post, Instagram announced another major change to its algorithms — a “fresh start.” According to the post, the site has been testing “the ability for everyone on Instagram — including teens — to reset their recommendations. In just a few taps, you’ll be able to clear your recommended content across Explore, Reels, and Feed and start fresh.” 

The blog post states this new feature builds upon tools that Instagram already offers users to curate their content recommendations. 

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If you need to cleanse your timeline or are tired of the content in your recommended feed, the reset works by finetuning your recommendations over time. 

“You’ll also have the option to review the accounts you’re following and unfollow any that share content you no longer want to see,” the blog reports.

The blog post explains the reset cannot be undone once started. This new “fresh start” feature will soon roll out globally.

The feature comes on the heel of immense pressure from Congress, including dozens of lawsuits from state attorneys general accusing Meta of knowingly exacerbating mental health issues in young people and producing an addictive online environment. 

While the new feature is not age-specific and can benefit anyone looking to curate their feeds to their taste, Meta has signaled out this feature to its teen users. 

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“We recognize parents are concerned that their teens might see mature or inappropriate content online… In addition to removing content completely when it breaks our rules, we [will] take steps to help prevent teens from seeing content that may be sensitive or mature. We avoid recommending it, and in some cases, we hide it from teens altogether, even if it’s shared by someone they follow,” Meta states in the blog post. 

Recently, Meta introduced new built-in protections for teens with its Teen Accounts feature for users under 18. This new account type is private by default and employs a set of restrictions for minors. 

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Only users 16 years and older can loosen some of these settings with their parents’ permission. Meta hopes this new feature will help “give teens new ways to shape their Instagram experience, so it can continue to reflect their passions and interests as they evolve.”