Meta is expanding Instagram’s school partnership program in the US, adding new features for schools and students as the company faces increasing scrutiny over the impact of social media on teenagers.
Nearly 17,000 schools have joined the program so far, according to Meta. The company is also creating a centralised hub for school-related accounts to make it easier for students and communities to find official school content.
Under the expanded program, verified students at participating schools will be able to access a directory of school clubs and teams, along with school-specific Stories and Notes for announcements.
Meta is also introducing new Channels and Notes features for verified school accounts. These tools will allow schools to communicate with students, parents and the wider school community through Instagram.
The expansion comes as Meta continues to face scrutiny over how its platforms affect younger users. The company agreed in August to pay up to $18 billion over the next decade and introduce tighter restrictions on teenagers’ use of Facebook and Instagram to resolve claims that its platforms were designed to encourage addictive use among children.
The school-focused program represents a broader effort by Meta to create dedicated spaces and communication tools for educational communities on Instagram.
Through the new features, schools will be able to share updates, highlight student activities and provide information about clubs and teams through verified accounts.
Meta’s expansion also comes as schools and parents increasingly seek ways to manage how students interact with social media while still using digital platforms for communication and community engagement.
The company said the new tools will be available to verified schools and their students participating in the programme.
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
Do Follow: The Mainstream LinkedIn | The Mainstream Facebook | The Mainstream Youtube | The Mainstream Twitter
About us:
The Mainstream is a premier platform delivering the latest updates and informed perspectives across the technology business and cyber landscape. Built on research-driven, thought leadership and original intellectual property, The Mainstream also curates summits & conferences that convene decision makers to explore how technology reshapes industries and leadership. With a growing presence in India and globally across the Middle East, Africa, ASEAN, the USA, the UK and Australia, The Mainstream carries a vision to bring the latest happenings and insights to 8.2 billion people and to place technology at the centre of conversation for leaders navigating the future.