Instagram Launches Instants Globally: New Feature Enhances Teen Safety with Disappearing Photos
Meta has introduced a new feature called Instants on Instagram, which allows users to share unedited, disappearing photos directly through their direct message inbox. This feature, launched globally on May 13, 2026, is designed to promote authenticity and enhance safety for teen users. Instants can be accessed within Instagram and as a standalone app, providing users with the ability to share photos with close friends or mutual followers. These photos disappear after being viewed and expire after 24 hours, with an option for users to archive them privately for up to a year. The feature includes built-in privacy protections, such as blocking screenshots and screen recordings, and extends Instagram's existing Teen Accounts safety framework automatically to teen users. 
