Instagram, the popular social media app, has recently begun forcing users to add their birthday to their profile. While some may see this as an annoyance or invasion of privacy, there are important reasons behind the decision.

One reason is to comply with government regulations concerning age restrictions on social media. In many countries, individuals under a certain age are not allowed to use certain apps or social media platforms without parental permission. By requiring users to add their birthday, Instagram can ensure that they are complying with these regulations and preventing underage users from accessing their platform without consent.

Another reason is to improve user experience and safety. By knowing a user’s birthday, Instagram can personalize content and recommend appropriate accounts and features. It can also help prevent fraudulent activity and identity theft by verifying users’ identities and verifying that they are of legal age to use the app.

Furthermore, by adding their birthday, users can also set appropriate privacy settings for their account. For example, they can choose to only allow friends to see their posts, or only allow individuals over a certain age to view their content.