Instagram has quietly rolled out a new feature allowing users with Teen Accounts to customize their app icon on their phone’s home screen. The update, released Wednesday, provides six alternative designs—including neon, glass, fire, flowers, slime, and chrome—but adult users are excluded from the customization.
Why the Restriction?
The move has sparked confusion among users, many questioning why the customization option isn’t universally available. While Meta (Instagram’s parent company) has not officially commented, the restriction likely serves to maintain brand consistency. Broad customization could dilute the platform’s visual identity across millions of devices.
How it Works
Teen users can access the new options by tapping the Instagram logo within the app’s feed and selecting the “change icon” setting. The feature has not been announced through official channels, with users discovering it organically through in-app exploration.
The Broader Context
Instagram has increasingly focused on tailored experiences for younger demographics. This includes features like Teen Accounts with stricter privacy settings, and now, exclusive customization options. The strategy suggests a desire to appeal directly to Gen Z while controlling the overall aesthetic of the app for adult users. The company may be testing user engagement with limited rollouts before wider implementation.
The move raises questions about age-based feature gating and how platforms balance personalization with brand control. Instagram’s approach highlights a growing trend of targeted features that cater to specific user segments, rather than a one-size-fits-all experience.
