Instagram is one of the most popular social media platforms among teens. Meta has introduced significant safety features for teen accounts, but parental involvement remains essential.
13-17
Recommended Ages: Instagram requires users to be 13+. The platform has introduced "Teen Accounts" with built-in restrictions for users under 18.
Mental Health Concerns
Research has linked Instagram use to body image issues, anxiety, and depression in teens, particularly girls. Monitor your child's wellbeing.
Feed : Photos/videos from followed accountsStories : Disappearing 24-hour postsReels : Short-form video (like TikTok)Direct Messages (DMs) : Private messagingExplore : Algorithm-recommended contentLive : Real-time video broadcasting
Staying connected with friends
Following celebrities and influencers
Self-expression through photos
Discovering trends
FOMO (everyone's on it)
Instagram automatically applies these restrictions to accounts of users under 18:
Private account by default : Only approved followers see contentRestricted DMs : Can't receive messages from non-followersSensitive content filtering : More restrictive Explore pageTime limit notifications : Reminded after 60 minutes dailySleep mode : Notifications muted 10 PM - 7 AMLive restrictions : Teens under 16 can't go Live without parental permission
Teens under 16 can't change these settings to be less strict without a parent's permission through Supervision. Teens aged 16-17 get the same default protections but can adjust them on their own — unless Supervision is set up, in which case setting changes go through you.
Meta's Supervision feature lets parents:
See who their teen follows/is followed by
View who their teen has messaged (not content)
See time spent on Instagram
Set daily time limits
Set sleep mode hours
Get notifications when teen reports someone
1
Both Need Accounts You and your teen both need Instagram accounts.
2
Send Invitation On your Instagram:
Settings Supervision Create Invitation Share the link with your teen.
3
Teen Accepts Your teen must accept the invitation for Supervision to begin.
4
Configure Settings Once connected, manage settings from the Family Center.
Supervision Time spent Set daily time limit Options: 15 minutes to 3 hours
When reached:
Teen is notified
Can request more time (you approve/deny)
Supervision Time spent Set break reminders Remind to take breaks after 10-30 minutes of scrolling.
During Quiet Mode:
Notifications silenced
Auto-reply to DMs that they're unavailable
Different home screen
Default for teens: 10 PM - 7 AM. Parents can adjust.
Settings Account Privacy Private Account For teen accounts, this is ON by default. Teens under 16 can't switch to public without parental approval; 16-17-year-olds can change it themselves unless Supervision is active.
Settings Messages and story replies Show Activity Status Turn OFF so others can't see when your teen is online.
Settings Story Hide Story From Control who sees Stories.
Settings Story Close Friends Stories can be shared with only Close Friends—discuss this feature.
For teen accounts:
Only followers can message by default
Adults who don't follow them can't DM
Message requests from strangers go to hidden folder
Settings Messages and story replies Message controls Options:
Only people you follow
Everyone (within restrictions)
Hide offensive comments : ONHide message requests : Filters inappropriate message requestsCustom words : Add words to hide
Settings Content Preferences Sensitive content Since October 2025, teen accounts are guided by PG-13 movie-rating standards: all teens are automatically placed in the "13+" setting and can't opt out without a parent's permission.
Options for teens:
13+ : Default — content similar to what you'd see in a PG-13 movieLimited Content : Stricter setting parents can apply through Supervision
Settings Content Preferences Suggested content Control what appears in Explore based on interests.
Settings Restricted Accounts Restrict specific accounts:
Their comments on your posts are only visible to them
Their DMs go to message requests
They can't see your activity status
Allow comments from : Everyone / People You Follow / Your FollowersBlock comments from : Specific accountsHide offensive comments : ONManual filter : Add blocked words
Settings Tags Allow tags from
Everyone
People You Follow
No One
Settings Tags Manually approve tags Enable to approve tags before they appear on your teen's profile.
Settings Mentions Allow mentions from Control who can @mention your teen.
Advise your teen never to tag:
Home location
School
Regular hangout spots
Review old posts and remove location tags.
Discuss:
Only follow people you know
Be cautious of influencers' impact
Quality over quantity of followers
Unfollow accounts that:
Make them feel bad about themselves
Post inappropriate content
Create negative emotions
Instagram hides like counts on others' posts (optional on own posts).
The "Following" activity tab was removed—can't see who friends follow.
Settings Security Two-factor authentication Enable using authentication app or SMS.
Settings Security Login activity Review where account is logged in. Remove unknown devices.
Use strong, unique password. Don't share with friends.
Filtered photos create unrealistic standards
Comparison to others' "highlight reels"
Edited photos are the norm
Excessive photo editing/retaking
Comparing themselves to influencers
Mood changes tied to likes/comments
Spending hours scrolling
FOMO and anxiety
Social media isn't real life
Likes don't define worth
It's okay to unfollow accounts that make you feel bad
Taking breaks is healthy
User Profile Three dots Block User Profile or Post Three dots Report User Profile Three dots Hide Your Story
Supervision enabled
Private account (required)
60-minute daily limit
Quiet mode 9 PM - 7 AM
DMs restricted
Frequent check-ins
Follow only real-life friends
Supervision recommended
Private account
90-minute limit
Quiet mode 10 PM - 7 AM
Discuss healthy use
Monitor for wellbeing issues
Supervision optional (with trust)
Private account recommended
Time awareness
Open communication
Support healthy boundaries
Bypasses Happen — Stay Calm and Respond
If your teen got around Instagram controls, approach it as a conversation first. Understanding the why is more useful than just re-locking settings.
Supervision was disconnected
Open Instagram Family Center — if your teen no longer appears, they removed the link
Re-send the supervision invitation and discuss why it was removed
Note: teens must accept Supervision — it cannot be forced on them
Account switched to public (teens under 16 need parental approval, but 16-17-year-olds can change it unless Supervision is active)
Re-check account privacy settings together
Confirm Supervision is active, which locks privacy settings for under-18 accounts
Time limit bypassed by requesting more time repeatedly
Review how often time extension requests come in from the Family Center
If excessive, have a conversation about the spirit of the limit, not just the letter
Consider reducing the daily limit and setting Quiet Mode for longer overnight hours
Second Instagram account ("finsta")
Look for multiple Instagram apps or accounts logged in under Settings > Accounts Center
If found, decide together whether it can stay (with full Supervision) or must be removed
Address the reason they wanted a separate account — often it's about social pressure
Using a browser instead of the app
Instagram's full web version is accessible via Safari or Chrome
Use iOS Screen Time "Allowed Websites Only" or Android Family Link site restrictions to block instagram.com on browsers
Or set Social Media category limits that cover browsers
Reconnect Supervision if it was disconnected
Check all privacy settings are still correctly configured
Review their follower/following list together if you have concerns
Have an honest conversation about what drove the bypass
Consider adjusting time limits if they seem too restrictive for their age
Supervision invitation sent and accepted Daily time limit set (60-90 min) Quiet mode hours configured Private account confirmed (can't be public) Sensitive content confirmed at '13+' (or 'Limited Content' applied) Comment controls configured Two-factor authentication ON Talked about mental health aspects Established open communication Official Instagram parental resources
How to use Supervision features
Independent review and safety assessment
Safer Sharing
Instagram is now configured with appropriate protections. Teen Accounts and Supervision provide strong baseline safety, but ongoing conversations about healthy social media use are essential.
Follow these steps to configure parental controls. Check off each step as you complete it — your progress stays on this page.
