Instagram now lets teens customize app icons
What's the story
Instagram has rolled out a new feature, but it's only available for its teenage users. The photo and video sharing platform announced the launch of custom icons on Wednesday. This update allows teens to personalize their app experience by choosing from a range of unique icons for the Instagram logo on their home screen.
Feature access
How to use the new feature
To use this new feature, teens just have to tap on the Instagram logo at the top of their home feed after opening the app. The current set of custom icons includes neon, clear glass, fire, flowers, and green slime versions of the Instagram logo. The update is part of a broader effort by Instagram to make its platform more appealing for younger users.
Mixed responses
Users question why this feature is limited to teens
The announcement of this new feature has drawn mixed reactions from users on X. Many have questioned why such a capability is limited to teens, arguing that adult users also want the option to customize their home screens. Some even accused Instagram of copying Snapchat's paid icon change feature for its own platform.
Account restrictions
Instagram's teen accounts
Instagram introduced teen accounts in 2024 to provide additional protection for minors. These accounts come with stricter content restrictions, allowing only PG-13 material. Earlier this year, the company started using AI technology to identify teens who had lied about their age on the platform and automatically enroll them into these restricted teen accounts.
User attraction
Custom icons for iPhone home screens
With the introduction of custom icons, Instagram is trying to attract younger users by making its teen accounts more appealing. The move comes as part of a larger trend where younger people have shown a strong interest in customizing their iPhone home screens. This trend was reignited when Apple introduced widgets with iOS 14 in 2020 and made it easier to customize app shortcuts.