Instagram uses machine learning to automatically identify posts, videos, and livestreams that may contain suicide or self-harm content and prioritizes them for human review. In February 2026, Instagram specifically added a feature alerting parents when a teenager repeatedly searches for suicide or self-harm topics.

The detection system monitors Instagram posts, Stories, Reels, and live broadcasts for self-harm risk indicators, and can trigger a wellness check alert to local emergency services when imminent danger is detected. The February 2026 parental alert feature is Instagram-specific, applying to accounts enrolled in Instagram's Parental Supervision program and rolling out first in the US, UK, Australia, and Canada. A Washington Post investigation from August 2025 found that Meta's AI chatbot could produce self-harm guidance when accessed through teen-labeled test accounts, raising questions about consistency across the platform.