Social media is a significant part of many teens’ lives, and Instagram is one of the most popular platforms they use to share photos, videos and messages. With features like Stories, Feed, Reels, Live and messaging, Instagram allows teens to celebrate milestones, stay connected with friends and family, follow their favorite influencers and build communities based on shared interests. While Instagram offers many opportunities for positive engagement, it’s important for parents to understand the platform and help guide their teens toward safe, mindful usage.
The main things parents worry about when it comes to Instagram are typical of all social media: mean behavior among peers, misinformation, encountering —or creating—inappropriate or dangerous content, overuse, and, of course, privacy. There is also the risk of users comparing themselves to others, which can impact their sense of well-being.
Teens can learn to manage these risks, and to further support their safety, Instagram has introduced teen accounts with enhanced protections that a parent or guardian can supervise. We encourage families to use these newly expanded tools and have ongoing conversations about ways to keep their use of Instagram safe and positive.
Instagram Teen Accounts
All new and existing teen accounts have built-in protections, including:
- Private accounts by default. Private accounts are invisible to anyone who has not been pre-approved by the teen. Teens younger than 16 will need a parent’s permission to make their account public.
- Strict messaging defaults. Teens will be placed in the strictest messaging defaults, meaning they can only be messaged by people they follow or who they have messaged before.
- Restricted interactions. Teens can only be tagged or mentioned by people they follow. Instagram will also filter out offensive language and phrases using its “Hidden Words” feature from comments and direct message requests.
- Sensitive content restrictions. Teens will not see sensitive content, such as discussions of self-harm, violence or depictions of nudity.
- Time limit reminders. Teens will be encouraged to leave the app after 60 minutes of daily use.
- Ability to select content categories they would like to see more of, like music or sports.
- Sleep Mode is on by default. To encourage healthy sleep, Sleep Mode, which mutes notifications, will be enabled between 10 PM and 7 AM.
Teens younger than 16 can’t change settings to less restrictive options without a parent’s permission. Teens aged 16-17 will also have teen account protections, but they won’t need a parent’s permission to override their settings. This can be a good opportunity for a conversation about why these defaults are in place and further ways teens can protect themselves on Instagram.
Importance of Giving a Correct Age
Users must be 13 to create an Instagram account, which complies with the U.S. Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). However, it is not uncommon for younger children to enter a false birthdate, often with a parent’s permission, to gain access. Instagram actively seeks to delete underage accounts when they are reported and the age can’t be verified.
It’s important for teens to use their correct birthdate when signing up for Instagram so built-in protections can work. If a teen tries to delete their account and sign up as an adult, Instagram will ask for verification, such as submitting a video selfie for age-estimation analysis. The company said it is working on technology that can estimate a user’s age without relying on the user to state their correct age.
What’s a “Finsta”?
Although Finsta is slang for “fake” Instagram account, there is nothing sinister about it. Unlike Facebook, Instagram doesn’t require people to use their real names, and users can have up to five accounts, with the ability to switch between them. Some young people choose to create separate and more private accounts where they share posts that are relaxed and more “real” among a select group of friends. You might ask your teen how they ensure their privacy, and then ask about Finstas.
Taking Control of Your Feed
Recommendations Reset: If you want to start fresh with the content you see across Explore, Reels and Feed, you can reset the algorithm in Settings.
“Not interested”: If you come across a post that doesn’t interest you, tap the three-dot menu and select ‘Not Interested’ — or tap the X in the top right corner of a suggested post on your Home feed. This will remove the post right away and help Instagram show you fewer posts like it going forward.
Snooze recommended posts in Feed. Suggested posts come from accounts you don’t follow but might find interesting. If you’d rather not see them for a while, you can snooze all suggested posts for 30 days. Just tap the X in the top right corner of a suggested post, then select ‘Snooze all suggested posts for 30 days.’
Establishing Parental Supervision
Teens or parents can initiate the connection. Go to Settings > Supervision > Create Invite. Parents can give their teens the ability to modify safety settings without approval at any time.
Parent Supervision Settings: What Parents Can See and Do
Visibility – Parents will be able to see:
- How much time their teen is spending on Instagram
- A list of accounts their teen has recently messaged (though parents won’t be able to see the messages)
- A list of accounts their teen follows
- A list of accounts following their teen
- Categories of content the teen has asked to see more of
Supervision tools – Parents will be able to:
- Set a daily limit for time spent per day on Instagram from 15 minutes to 2 hours (or no limit at all). Instagram will be unavailable once the limit is reached.
- Block their teens from using Instagram during select hours, like school hours.
Talking About Using Instagram Parental Supervision Tools
Talking to your teens about why you’re using parental supervision tools on Instagram is an important step in fostering trust and understanding. Explain that these tools aren’t about controlling their online activity but rather ensuring their safety. Emphasize that your goal is to help them make responsible decisions, avoid harmful content and protect their privacy while giving them space to express themselves. Remind them that their online conversations remain private. You can not see the content of their messages.
Tips for Older Teens
Teens aged 16 and 17 will also have teen accounts with the abovementioned defaults. However, the key difference is that teens 16 and 17 can change any setting. It’s important for parents to talk with older teens about ways to stay safe on Instagram and to check in regularly with them. A 16-year-old is only two years from adulthood, so this is a time when teens need to learn how to protect their privacy and safety. Here are some tips to share:
Interacting with People They Don’t Know
- Teens should be cautious about engaging with people they haven’t met in person. If they choose to interact, they should refrain from sharing personal details or intimate aspects of their lives.
- While teens should avoid meeting people in person that they only know online, if they decide to do so, they should bring a trusted friend and meet in a busy, public location to ensure their safety.
Buyer Beware
- Instagram and other social media feature goods for sale. While most advertisements are legitimate, some ads for counterfeit or illegal drugs have surfaced on social media, including Instagram. Parents should talk to teens about this and ask them to let them know if they see a suspicious ad.
Protecting Privacy
- Encourage teens to set their accounts to private so only approved followers can see their posts. This helps limit interactions with people they don’t know.
- Teens should avoid sharing sensitive details like their home address, phone number or school name on their profile or posts.
- Make sure teens enable the feature that allows them to approve tagged photos before they appear on their profile, preventing unwanted images from being linked to their account.
Managing Time
- Even though they can bypass time limits, teens should know how much time they spend on the platform. It’s important to strike a balance between online activity and offline experiences.
- Teens can use Instagram’s “Take a Break” reminders to help manage their screen time and prevent overuse.
Being Mindful of What They Share
- Encourage teens to consider the long-term impact of their posts. They should avoid sharing anything they wouldn’t want future employers or colleges to see.
- Build a positive digital footprint: Everything teens share online contributes to their digital identity, so they should aim to present a responsible and respectful version of themselves.
Protecting Against Cyberbullying and Harassment
- Teens should block or mute a harassing or bullying person to stop unwanted interactions.
- Teens should be encouraged to report abusive content or behavior directly to Instagram if they encounter it.
- If cyberbullying or harassment becomes an issue, teens should be reminded that they can always talk to a trusted adult for guidance and help.
Watching Out for Scams and Fake Accounts
- Remind teens to never click on unfamiliar links in messages or comments, which could lead to scams or harmful content.
- Teens should follow people or brands they know and trust and be cautious when interacting with new accounts, especially those asking for personal information.
- Help your teen understand the risks of sextortion and sharing intimate images. They should think carefully before sending personal or intimate images, even if they trust the recipient. The person requesting the images may not be who they appear to be, and relationships can change, leading to unwanted consequences.
Prioritizing Mental Health
- Encourage teens to follow accounts that uplift them and reflect their interests. If certain accounts make them feel anxious or insecure, they can mute or unfollow them. If teens don’t like what they see on their feeds, they can reset their recommendations.
- Social media can sometimes lead to stress or feelings of inadequacy. Teens should be encouraged to talk about their feelings if they feel overwhelmed by their online presence.
Final Thoughts for Parents
As a parent, you play an essential role in helping your teen navigate Instagram in a safe and healthy way. Here are some tips to foster positive social media habits:
- Encourage your teen to talk to you about their online interactions, both positive and negative. That way, they’ll come to you if something goes wrong.
- Establish expectations around screen time and the type of content they should engage with.
- Model healthy social media habits by limiting your own time on apps like Instagram and focusing on positive interactions and usage.
Instagram can be a fun and rewarding way for teens to connect with friends, family and communities. However, it also comes with risks, especially for younger users. By understanding the platform, setting boundaries and using Instagram’s tools, you can help your teen enjoy a positive and safe experience. The key to helping your teen navigate Instagram successfully is staying involved, encouraging open dialogue and teaching them to use the app mindfully.
Meta provides financial support to ConnectSafely. ConnectSafely is solely responsible for the content of this guide.