Instagram has stopped using the term “PG-13” in its marketing aimed at teenagers. The company made this change following legal pressure from the Motion Picture Association. The film industry group argued that the social media platform was improperly using its trademarked movie rating system.
Meta, Instagram’s parent company, had promoted certain teen safety features with the “PG-13” label. This branding was part of an effort to position the platform as a safer space for younger users. The Motion Picture Association asserted that this constituted trademark infringement.
The association sent a legal notice to Meta, demanding it cease using the rating. Instagram has since removed the terminology from its communications. The shift highlights ongoing tensions between social media platforms and established institutions over safety messaging and branding.
This incident occurs amid broader scrutiny of how tech companies protect younger audiences online. Regulatory bodies and lawmakers are increasingly focused on teen safety and data privacy on social media. The removal of the “PG-13” label represents a minor but notable retreat in Meta’s marketing strategy.