Meta Added New Features to Student Instagram Program
The platform has expanded its school partnership program to include student directories and school-specific story channels.
Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Secondary Education
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Meta has introduced new features to its Instagram school partnership program, including channels for updates, school stories, and a student directory. These additions are designed for use outside of classroom hours and are available to verified high school students.
Why it matters
The expansion introduces new digital interaction layers for high schoolers while keeping management tools in the hands of school administrators. These features follow the programs original launch last year, which was centered on prioritizing reports of cyberbullying.
The program now features channels, notes, school stories, and a student directory verified by UNiDAYS. These tools are intended to facilitate updates and club communication while allowing administrators to remove specific content.
The players
Meta
The parent company of Instagram that manages school partnership programs and develops teen account safety settings.
UNiDAYS
A verification service that confirms the student status of high schoolers to grant access to the partnership program.
The details
Verification of student identity for the program is handled by UNiDAYS to ensure account integrity. While students can interact within these new channels and directories, only school administrators have the authority to post official messages or remove school stories and notes. Parents retain the ability to manage student accounts through teen account settings, which include features to block Instagram usage during school hours.
Timeline
2025: Meta launched the original school partnership program.
September 29, 2026: Meta added new features to the program.
The Home Front
This program extension aligns with the ongoing trend of social platforms incorporating administrative gatekeepers into digital youth spaces. It follows the Meta teen account safety framework, which prioritizes tools for parents to limit platform access during school hours.
Review your teenager's Instagram settings to ensure that the teen account controls are properly enabled for their profile. You may also want to discuss the appropriate use of school-affiliated channels, as these features are intended strictly for extracurricular communication outside of school hours.
The takeaway
The addition of new school-based features requires that students and parents understand the boundaries of official school-affiliated channels. As a proactive step, parents should ensure their teen accounts are correctly linked to the family's preferred settings for school-day usage.
Further reading
For more on managing digital environments for students, visit our guide on Secondary Education.
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Do you believe social media integration in schools is good for your local student community?
