Meta is rolling out a new parental notification system on Instagram that alerts guardians when their teenage children repeatedly search for self-harm or suicide-related content. The feature comes amid mounting legal scrutiny, following CEO Mark Zuckerberg's testimony about Meta's role in child safety.

Zuckerberg recently faced questioning in US Senate hearings and court proceedings about Instagram's impact on young users. Plaintiffs' lawyers pressed him on Meta's handling of underage accounts, with Zuckerberg acknowledging the company could have acted sooner. The social media giant has faced accusations of encouraging self-harm through its content algorithms.

Starting next week in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada, Instagram will notify parents via text, email, WhatsApp, or in-app alerts when teens repeatedly search for concerning terms. The platform already blocks such searches, redirecting users to support resources and helplines. Meta says it will use whatever contact information is available to reach parents. This move represents a significant shift in how social platforms handle teen mental health concerns, balancing privacy with parental oversight.