Meta, the parent company of Instagram, has announced the addition of new features to Instagram’s School Partnership Program in the United States. These new features allow schools and verified high school students to share news about clubs, sports teams, and events. The update comes as Meta tries to regain public trust after settling with U.S. states over allegations that its platforms, Instagram and Facebook, were designed to addict children.
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As part of that agreement, Meta pledged to pay up to $18 billion over 10 years and add daily time limits for teens.
The School Partnership Program launched last year in partnership with education groups like ISTE and ASCD. Its original mission was to allow educators to report incidents of bullying and other safety concerns directly to Instagram. To date, nearly 17,000 schools have signed up for the program, according to Meta. The program allows participating schools to use Channels, where only administrators can post updates to followers, such as parents and the local community. In addition, students can view School Stories and Notes, which are only visible to verified students at the school.
Students can find a list of clubs and groups, such as a math club, that acts as a hub for events and announcements. Posting to these Stories and Notes is limited to club and group administrators and school program administrators. Verified students can also browse a list of classmates on Instagram and add a school banner to their profile. Meta said that only classmates and teen followers the student has followed back can see them.
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Student verification is done through UNiDAYS, a third-party student verification service. This step is critical to protecting student privacy and security, as it ensures that only real students have access to the features intended for them. Parents using Family Center receive a notification every time their teen joins or leaves a school, providing an additional layer of oversight.
School staff retain control over content, as administrators and teachers can remove club and group accounts, Stories, and Notes. Reports submitted by partner schools also go to the top of Instagram’s review queue, and schools receive a response as soon as action is taken. This system allows for quick and effective management of issues that may arise, enhancing student safety and well-being.
Meta said the tools are designed for use outside of school hours, which is important to avoid distractions during class. Parents already have the option to block Instagram during school hours through their Teen Account, adding an extra layer of control to protect students from excessive social media use.
Middle and high schools in the US can join the program through the “Account Type & Tools” or “Business Tools & Controls” menus on Instagram, following Meta’s sign-up instructions. This process is designed to be as simple and accessible as possible to encourage more schools to join and take advantage of the program’s capabilities.
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Overall, the Instagram Schools Partnership Program represents a significant effort by Meta to enhance the safety and well-being of students while providing them with new opportunities for social interaction and participation in school activities. By adding these new features, Meta hopes to create a safer and more supportive environment for new users of the platform.
