Instagram has announced that it will begin alerting parents when teens repeatedly search for suicide or self-harm terms within a short period of time. The feature is designed for minors enrolled in parental supervision tools.

But turning 18 does not magically end mental health vulnerability.

Many young adults—especially college students and those transitioning into adulthood—face intense social, academic, and financial pressures. Yet once they reach legal adulthood, most digital safeguards disappear entirely.

We are calling on Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and Instagram Head Adam Mosseri to expand suicide and self-harm safety tools to include optional protections for young adults ages 18 to 21, including opt-in alerts, crisis resource prompts, and enhanced intervention features.

This is not about treating adults like children. It is about offering voluntary, dignity-respecting tools for families who want additional support during a critical life stage.

An opt-in system could allow young adults to choose to share concerning search patterns with a trusted contact or receive stronger in-app crisis resources. Families navigating mental health challenges deserve more tools, not fewer, simply because a birthday has passed.

Mental health does not recognize a legal boundary at 18. Platforms that shape young people’s daily lives should acknowledge that reality and provide flexible, age-appropriate safeguards.

Meta has called its teen alert feature “the right starting point.” Now it’s time to take the next step and ensure that young adults aren’t left behind during one of the most vulnerable transitions of their lives.