Internal documents show Instagram's aggressive campaign to win back teens, including by boosting teen-friendly influencers, adjusting its algorithm, and more
The company pursued a yearslong strategy to win teens back even after critics said it wasn't safe, records show. X: @robtornoe . Bluesky: @justinhendrix and @raaleh . Mastodon: @cbarbermd@med-mastodon.com X: Rob Tornoe / @robtornoe : Meanwhile the rest of us are annoyed we don't get to see posts of the accounts we actually follow. Bluesky: Justin Hendrix / @justinhendrix : Per “internal documents written between 2023 and 2025 and viewed by The Washington Post... Instagram staffers considered the mandate to boost teen metrics their top goal last year,” including “boosting their messaging activity... to set up an early pipeline for lifelong use of Meta's platforms.” Riley / @raaleh : Internal Documents: R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company execs have waged an aggressive campaign to win back teens, debuting hip new mascot “Joe Camel” [embedded post] Mastodon: Carolyn Barber / @cbarbermd@med-mastodon.com : Internal docs show Meta's real goal: make Instagram “the world's largest platform for teens” by 2027. — The company studied teen behavior, tweaked algorithms, boosted influencers, and reshaped products to hook young users — even as dozens of states sued Meta for exploiting kids & harming teen mental health. https://www.washingtonpost.com/ ... #press