Instagram Teen Accounts: Parent's Safety Guide
Instagram Teen Accounts: What Parents Need to Know Right Now
Last Updated: 16 October 2025Instagram just rolled out the biggest safety update in its historyâand it affects every teenager on the platform.
On October 15, 2025, Instagram activated "Teen Accounts" globally. If your child is under 16, their account was automatically switched to this new PG-13-style mode with built-in restrictions. If they're 16-17, they were given the option to opt in.
You're probably here because your teen mentioned something about their Instagram changing, you saw news coverage, or Instagram sent you a notification. Maybe you're wondering: What exactly are these new controls? Should you be relieved or still concerned? And what do you actually need to do?
I'm going to give you the complete pictureâwhat these Teen Accounts actually include, how to set up parental controls properly, what the limitations are, and whether Instagram's update is enough to keep your teen safe. This isn't PR spin from Meta, it's a straight-talking parent's guide from someone who's spent over a decade helping families navigate social media.
Quick Answer
Instagram Teen Accounts (launched October 15, 2025) automatically make accounts private for users under 16, restrict messaging to known contacts, filter sensitive content, and require parental supervision. They significantly improve safety but don't prevent cyberbullying from classmates, screenshot sharing, or mental health impacts from comparison culture. Active parent involvement remains essentialâthe new protections are a strong baseline, not a complete solution.
Navigate This Guide
What Are Instagram Teen Accounts?
The quick facts about Instagram's biggest safety update ever
Teen Accounts Explained: The Basics
Instagram's Teen Accounts are essentially "PG-13 mode"âaccounts with built-in safety restrictions for users under 18
Here's what happened:
- On October 15, 2025, Instagram rolled out Teen Accounts globally across all markets
- Every user Instagram believes is under 16 had their account automatically converted to a Teen Account
- Users aged 16-17 were given the option to switch to Teen Accounts or keep standard accounts
- Teen Accounts come with multiple built-in protections that limit who can contact them and what content they see
- For users under 16, most of these protections are lockedâthey cannot disable them without parent approval
The timing matters: This update comes after years of pressure from regulators, lawmakers, and parent advocacy groups about Instagram's impact on teen mental health. Meta (Instagram's parent company) is facing lawsuits and investigations in multiple countries. These Teen Accounts are partly a genuine safety improvement, but also a defensive move to avoid stricter government regulation.
Why Instagram Made This Change
Instagram's official line is that they're "committed to teen safety." The reality is more complex:
- Legal pressure: Multiple countries are considering or have passed laws requiring stronger protections for minors on social platforms
- Mental health crisis:Studies linking Instagram use to teen depression, anxiety, and eating disorders have created PR nightmares for Meta
- Competitive pressure: Other platforms (TikTok, Snapchat) have introduced teen safety features, making Instagram look behind
- Potential liability: Class-action lawsuits from parents claim Instagram knowingly harmed childrenâstronger built-in protections reduce this risk
The research is clear: excessive social media use, particularly platforms focused on appearance and social comparison, correlates with increased rates of anxiety, depression, and body image issues in adolescents. Instagram's Teen Accounts address some surface-level risks but don't fundamentally change the platform's attention-maximising design.
â Daniel Towle, Digital Family CoachThat said, the changes are meaningful. Teen Accounts represent a significant shift in how Instagram treats underage users, even if the motivation was partly self-preservation.
What's Included in Teen Accounts
Here are the specific protections Instagram has built into Teen Accountsâand what they actually mean in practice
Private by Default
All Teen Accounts are automatically set to private, meaning your teen must approve anyone who wants to follow them. Their posts, stories, and reels are only visible to approved followers. For users under 16, they cannot change this to public without parent approval. 16-17 year olds can toggle between private and public themselves.
Restricted Direct Messages
Teens can only receive DMs from people they follow or are connected to (mutual friends). Strangers and people they don't follow cannot send them messages or add them to group chats. This significantly reduces risk from predators and unwanted contact. The restriction applies to all Teen Account holders regardless of age.
Sensitive Content Filtering
Instagram's algorithm filters out content considered "sensitive" from Explore pages, Reels, and recommendations. This includes violent content, sexually suggestive content, content promoting weight loss products, and other mature themes. The filtering is set to "most restrictive" by default for Teen Accounts and cannot be loosened without parent approval (for under 16s).
Time Limit Reminders
After 60 minutes of daily use, Teen Account users receive notifications suggesting they close the app. These are reminders, not hard stopsâteens can dismiss them and keep scrolling. However, the prompts are designed to create friction and increase awareness of time spent. Parents can set stricter time limits through parental controls.
Sleep Mode
Between 10pm and 7am by default, Teen Accounts activate "Sleep Mode"ânotifications are muted and the app sends auto-replies to DMs saying the teen is unavailable. This doesn't prevent them from actively using the app if they choose to open it, but removes the "ping" that keeps them checking their phone. Users 16+ can customise the sleep mode hours.
Limited Tagging & Mentions
Only people the teen follows (or connections) can tag them in photos, videos, or mention them in comments. This prevents strangers from associating the teen's account with potentially embarrassing, inappropriate, or dangerous content. It also reduces unwanted attention from people they don't know.
Restricted Ad Targeting
Advertisers can no longer target teens based on their interests and activity on Instagram. Ads are based only on age, location, and what they're viewing in that specific session. This reduces manipulative advertising, though teens still see adsâjust less personalised ones. Meta positions this as protecting teen privacy from advertisers.
Parental Supervision Tools
For users under 16, parental supervision through Instagram's "Family Centre" is mandatory. Parents can view time spent on the app, see who their teen follows and who follows them, set additional time limits beyond the default 60-minute reminder, and receive notifications when their teen reports someone or blocks accounts. Cannot read messages or view private posts directly.
These Are Good Protections
Let's be clear: these restrictions represent a significant improvement over previous Instagram accounts. The private-by-default setting, messaging restrictions, and content filtering address some of the biggest risks teens face on social media. Instagram deserves credit for implementing these changes system-wide rather than making them optional buried settings parents had to find.
How to Check if Your Teen Has a Teen Account
Not sure if your child's account was converted? Here's how to verify in under 2 minutes
Open Instagram and Go to Settings
Have your teen open Instagram, tap their profile picture (bottom right), then tap the three horizontal lines (top right), and select Settings and Privacy. From there, go to Account.
Look for "Teen Account" Label
In some accounts, you'll see "Teen Account" explicitly labelled at the top of the Account settings screen. If it's visible, you're definitely in a Teen Account. However, not all Teen Accounts show this label (Instagram's rollout is ongoing), so check the other indicators below if you don't see it.
Check Privacy Settings
Go to Settings â Privacy â Account Privacy. If the account is private AND the toggle is greyed out (cannot be switched without approval), it's a Teen Account. Regular accounts allow free toggling between public and private.
Check for Supervision Options
Go to Settings â Supervision. If you see options to "Invite Parent" or manage parental supervision connections, it's a Teen Account. This supervision section doesn't exist on regular accounts.
Verify Messaging Restrictions
Go to Settings â Privacy â Messages. Teen Accounts will show messaging restrictions limiting who can send DMs to "people you follow" or "your connections." If they can receive messages from anyone, it's not configured as a Teen Account.
What if it's NOT a Teen Account? If your child is under 16 and doesn't have a Teen Account, Instagram either has the wrong birthdate on file or your teen created their account with a false age. You'll need to correct thisâsee the "Workarounds" section below for how to handle this situation.
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How to Set Up Instagram Parental Controls (Family Centre)
For teens under 16, parental supervision is required. Here's exactly how to activate it
Before you start: Both you and your teen need the Instagram app installed. You'll need to create an Instagram account if you don't have one (it's free and you don't need to post anythingâit's purely for supervision). The entire setup takes about 10-15 minutes.
Teen Sends Supervision Invitation
Your teen opens Instagram, goes to Settings â Supervision â Invite Parent. They enter your email address and send the invitation. You'll receive an email notification within minutes. If they're resistant, remind them this is non-negotiable for users under 16âInstagram will eventually restrict their account if supervision isn't set up.
Parent Creates or Logs Into Instagram
Click the link in the invitation email. If you don't have Instagram, download it and create a free account (use your real name and birthdate). If you already have Instagram, log in normally. Important: You don't need to post content, follow people, or engage with Instagramâthis account is purely for monitoring your teen. You can make it private and ignore the platform's attempts to get you "engaged."
Accept the Supervision Request
In your Instagram app, you'll see a notification about your teen's supervision request. Tap it and select Accept. Confirm that you're their parent or legal guardian. The connection establishes immediatelyâyou'll see "Connected" status and your teen will receive a notification.
Configure Your Supervision Settings
Go to Settings â Supervision in your account. You'll see your teen's account listed. Tap it to access supervision options. You can: View time spent on Instagram daily and weekly. Set daily time limits beyond the default 60-minute reminder (optional but recommended for younger teens). Enable notifications to be alerted when they report someone, block an account, or change settings. See their followers and who they follow (but not view private content).
Review Privacy Settings Together
Sit with your teen and walk through their account settings together. Check that their account is private, messaging is restricted properly, and sensitive content filter is enabled. Take this opportunity to explain why each setting matters rather than just imposing rules. Teens are more likely to respect boundaries they understand.
Establish Check-In Rhythm
Schedule regular times (weekly for 13-15 year olds, bi-weekly or monthly for 16-17 year olds) to review activity together. Check time spent, new followers, and any concerning interactions. Critical: Make this collaborative rather than confrontational. Frame it as "Let's make sure you're safe and having a positive experience" rather than "I'm checking up on you because I don't trust you." The tone determines whether your teen sees this as helpful or invasive.
Pro Tips for Supervision Success
- Don't friend-request them: Let them keep their account separate from yours. You're supervising, not becoming their follower (unless they invite you).
- Set boundaries around your access: Tell them what you will and won't check. Will you look at their follower list weekly? Will you only check if you're concerned? Being transparent builds trust.
- Respect their privacy where appropriate: You can't read their DMs through supervision tools anyway, but even when reviewing followers, avoid interrogating them about every friend. Focus on red flags (adult strangers, inappropriate accounts) not micromanaging social relationships.
- Use it as a teaching opportunity: When you see something concerning, discuss it rather than immediately punishing. "I noticed you follow this account that posts provocative contentâlet's talk about why that might not be healthy for you." Education > enforcement.
Teen Accounts vs. Regular Accounts: What Changed
A side-by-side comparison of what's different before and after the October 2025 update
| Feature | Regular Account (Pre-Oct 2025) | Teen Account (Post-Oct 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Default Privacy | Public by default â | Private by default â |
| Direct Messaging | Anyone can send DMs â | Only people you follow can DM â |
| Sensitive Content | No automatic filtering â | Aggressive filtering of mature content â |
| Time Limits | No reminders unless manually set â | 60-minute daily reminder automatic â |
| Sleep Mode | No sleep mode â | 10pm-7am notifications muted â |
| Tagging/Mentions | Anyone can tag/mention â | Only connections can tag/mention â |
| Ad Targeting | Full behavioural targeting â | Limited to age/location only â |
| Parental Access | No built-in parental tools â | Family Centre supervision (under 16) â |
| Can Change Settings | Full control over all settings â | Locked settings (under 16), requires parent approval â |
The bottom line: Teen Accounts are significantly more restrictive than regular accounts, which is a good thing for safety. However, they're not foolproofâsee the "Limitations" section below for what's still missing.
Instagram vs TikTok vs Snapchat: Which Platform is Safest for Teens?
How Instagram's Teen Accounts stack up against competing platforms' safety features
Parents often ask me which social platform is "safest" for their teen. The truth is, each platform has different strengths and weaknesses. Instagram's Teen Accounts are now industry-leading for privacy controls, but TikTok has better screen time enforcement, and Snapchat's ephemeral messaging reduces screenshot risks differently. There's no perfect platformâthe key is understanding what each one does and doesn't protect against.
â Daniel Towle, Digital Family Coach| Safety Feature | Instagram Teen Accounts | TikTok | Snapchat |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Age | 13+ (strictly enforced for Teen Accounts) | 13+ (less rigorous enforcement) | 13+ (moderate enforcement) |
| Default Privacy for Minors | Private for all under 16 ââ | Private for under 16 â | Public by default â |
| Messaging Restrictions | Only mutual connections ââ | Limited (adults can't message teens) â | Anyone can message â |
| Content Filtering | Aggressive, locked filtering â | Moderate filtering â | Limited filtering â |
| Time Limits | 60-min reminder (can dismiss) â | Hard 60-min limit for under 13 ââ | No automatic limits â |
| Parental Controls | Mandatory Family Centre (U16) ââ | Optional Family Pairing â | Optional Family Centre â |
| Sleep Mode | Automatic 10pm-7am â | Optional quiet mode â | No sleep mode â |
| Mental Health Risks | High (appearance/comparison focus) | Moderate (algorithmic rabbit holes) | Moderate (FOMO from stories) |
Key Takeaways by Platform
Instagram Teen Accounts
Best for: Privacy controls and parental oversight. Weaknesses: Comparison culture and appearance-focused content still drive mental health concerns. Teen Accounts don't change Instagram's fundamental designâstill optimised for engagement over wellbeing.
TikTok
Best for: Hard time limits (for younger users) and diverse content discovery. Weaknesses: Weaker privacy defaults, algorithm can lead to harmful content rabbit holes, less robust parental controls than Instagram.
Snapchat
Best for: Ephemeral messaging reduces some screenshot risks, Snap Map can help parents track location. Weaknesses: Public by default, anyone can message teens, weakest content moderation of the three platforms.
The uncomfortable truth: None of these platforms are designed with teen wellbeing as the primary goalâthey're designed to maximise engagement and time spent. Instagram's Teen Accounts are a significant step forward, but active parenting, teaching critical thinking, and monitoring mental health impacts remain essential regardless of which platform your teen uses. Don't rely on platform protections alone.
What Teen Accounts DON'T Protect Against
Let's be honest about what Instagram's update cannot fixâand what still requires active parenting
Still Vulnerable To:
- Cyberbullying from known contacts: If your teen follows their classmates, those classmates can still harass, exclude, or spread rumours about them. Teen Accounts don't filter content from approved followers.
- Screenshot sharing: Even with a private account, followers can screenshot stories, posts, or DMs and share them publicly elsewhere. "Private" doesn't mean "secure."
- Accidental location sharing: Teens can still geotag their posts or share location details in captions. Teen Accounts don't prevent thisâit requires teen awareness and parent education.
- Time spent on the app: The 60-minute reminder can be dismissed indefinitely. Sleep mode can be ignored if teens just keep the app open. Time limits are soft friction, not hard stops (unless parents set device-level restrictions).
- Comparison culture and mental health: Even with content filtering, Instagram is still a platform optimised for showing highlight reels, edited photos, and curated perfection. The fundamental mental health risks remain.
- Age verification loopholes: Teens who lied about their age during signup may not have Teen Accounts at all. Instagram's age verification isn't perfectâmany teens simply register as adults.
- Inappropriate content from followed accounts: If your teen follows influencers, celebrities, or peers who post provocative/inappropriate content, they'll still see it. Sensitive content filtering doesn't apply to accounts they intentionally follow.
What Still Requires Parental Involvement:
- Teaching critical media literacy: Helping teens understand that Instagram content is curated, edited, and not representative of real life
- Monitoring for signs of distress: Depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and self-harm ideation can still develop from Instagram useâwatch for behavioural changes
- Having ongoing conversations: Regular check-ins about what they're seeing, how it makes them feel, and any negative interactions
- Setting household rules: No phones at dinner, device-free bedtimes, balance between online and offline activities
- Teaching online safety fundamentals: Never share personal information, recognise grooming behaviours, understand that "delete" isn't permanent
- Modelling healthy social media use: If you're constantly on your phone, your teen will be too. Your behaviour matters more than your rules
The hard truth: Teen Accounts reduce harm, but they don't eliminate it. Instagram is still Instagramâa platform designed to maximise engagement and time spent, often at the expense of wellbeing. These new protections are a significant step forward, but they're not a substitute for active parenting, open communication, and teaching teens to be critical consumers of social media.
How Teen Accounts Work Differently by Age
Not all Teen Accounts are created equalârestrictions vary based on whether your child is 13-15 or 16-17
Ages 13-15: Maximum Restrictions
Status: Automatically converted to Teen Accounts, cannot opt out.
Key Rules:
- All Teen Account protections are lockedâthey cannot change privacy, messaging, or content settings without parent approval
- Parental supervision through Family Centre is mandatoryâInstagram will eventually restrict functionality if not set up
- Cannot make account public or allow messages from anyone beyond approved followers
- Cannot loosen sensitive content filtering
- Parents must approve any request to change core settings
Parent Strategy: For this age group, lean into the restrictions. These are younger teens with less mature judgement and higher vulnerability. Use the supervision tools actively, have weekly check-ins, and maintain strict household rules around screen time and device-free zones.
Ages 16-17: More Flexibility
Status: Given option to use Teen Accounts or keep regular accounts.
Key Rules:
- If they opt into Teen Accounts, they can modify some settings themselves without parent approval (e.g., can make account public, adjust content filters)
- Parental supervision is optionalâthey can decline to send parent invitation
- Still have baseline protections (restricted messaging, some content filtering) but more autonomy
- Can customise sleep mode hours rather than being locked to 10pm-7am
Parent Strategy: For this age group, it's trickier. You can't force Teen Account adoption the same way. Consider negotiating: they can keep Instagram if they agree to parental supervision OR use device-level parental controls as backup. Focus on trust-building conversations about why these protections matter rather than imposing top-down rules. At 16-17, forcing the issue may drive them to secret accounts.
The 16-17 gap is controversial: Many child safety advocates argue that 16-17 year olds still need the same protections as younger teens, but Instagram gave them more autonomyâlikely because older teens would rebel against restrictions they could bypass. This is a business decision as much as a safety one. For parents, it means you need a different approach with older teens: less enforcement, more education and open dialogue.
How Teens Are (or Will) Bypass Teen Accounts
Let's talk about the elephant in the room: determined teens will find workarounds. Here's what to watch for
1. Lying About Age
The Tactic: Teens who haven't yet created Instagram accounts will simply register with a birthdate showing they're 18+, avoiding Teen Accounts entirely. Those with existing accounts may request age changes.
Instagram's Defence: Age verification using AI (analyses profile activity patterns), ID upload requirements for age disputes, and video selfies for third-party verification. However, if teens lie during initial signup before posting, Instagram's AI can't detect it immediately.
What Parents Can Do: If you discover your teen lied about their age, report it to Instagram through Settings â Help â Report a Problem. Instagram will require ID verification to prove age. Don't let this slideâaccounts registered as adults lack even basic teen protections.
2. Secret Second Accounts
The Tactic: Creating a "Finsta" (fake Instagram) with a different email, registered as an adult, where they post real content away from parental eyes. Their "main" account under supervision becomes performative.
What Parents Can Do: Periodically check what apps are installed on their device. Use device-level parental controls that show all app activity, not just the accounts you know about. Look for suspicious email addresses on their phone. Most importantly, create an environment where they don't feel the need for secret accounts by balancing oversight with appropriate privacy.
3. Using Instagram on Friends' Devices
The Tactic: If you've restricted Instagram on their phone, they'll use it on friends' phones, school computers, or other devices you don't control.
What Parents Can Do: Have honest conversations about why you've set boundaries, not just imposing them arbitrarily. Teens who understand the reasoning behind rules are less likely to work around them. Also, recognise that total control is impossibleâas they get older, you need to shift from enforcement to education.
4. Pressuring Parents for Approval
The Tactic: For under-16s, teens will repeatedly request to make accounts public, loosen restrictions, or disable supervision, hoping you'll eventually give in to stop the nagging.
What Parents Can Do: Set clear expectations from the beginning: "These settings aren't negotiable until you're 16" or "We'll revisit this in 6 months if you demonstrate responsible use." Consistency is key. If you cave once, they'll know persistence works.
5. Ignoring Time Limits and Sleep Mode
The Tactic: Simply dismissing the 60-minute reminder notification repeatedly and ignoring sleep mode by keeping the app actively open.
What Parents Can Do: Instagram's time controls are soft friction, not hard stops. Use device-level parental controls for enforced time limits. iOS Screen Time and Android Digital Wellbeing can actually block apps after time expires, unlike Instagram's reminders. Combine Instagram's tools with platform-level restrictions for real enforcement.
6. Switching to Other Platforms
The Tactic: If Instagram becomes too restricted, teens migrate to TikTok, Snapchat, BeReal, Discord, or whatever the next hot platform is. Restricting one app doesn't solve the underlying issue.
What Parents Can Do: Recognise that social media is part of teen social lifeâyou're not going to eliminate it entirely. Focus on teaching healthy usage habits that apply across platforms rather than playing whack-a-mole banning individual apps. Build digital literacy skills: critical thinking about content, awareness of mental health impacts, understanding privacy risks.
The Real Question: Why do they want to work around these protections? Sometimes it's genuineâthey want to connect with friends, share their creativity, or participate in trends. Sometimes it's because they don't understand the risks and see restrictions as arbitrary control. Your job is to differentiate between legitimate autonomy-seeking (which you should gradually allow) and risky behaviour (which needs boundaries). Blanket restrictions without explanation breed rebellion. Explained boundaries with some flexibility breed respect.
What to Discuss with Your Teen About Teen Accounts
The conversation is as important as the controls themselves. Here's what to cover
Explain What Changed and Why
"Instagram just made some big changes to accounts for people under 18. It's not something I choseâInstagram did this because there's been a lot of research showing social media can be harmful to teens' mental health, and they're trying to add more protections. Let's go through what's different together so you understand what changed and why."
Listen to Their Concerns
Ask genuinely: "How do you feel about these changes?" "Does anything about this feel unfair or frustrating?" Don't immediately dismiss their concerns. If they say "All my friends have public accounts and I can't!" acknowledge the frustration even while maintaining the boundary: "I hear youâit does feel different when you see your friends doing something you can't. Let's talk about why private accounts are safer."
Discuss Specific Risks
Don't be vague about "online dangers"âbe specific. Explain that strangers messaging teens can be predators. Talk about how screenshots of private content can be shared publicly. Discuss how comparing yourself to edited photos affects self-esteem. Use real examples (without being preachy): "Remember when [news story] happened? That's why we want to limit who can contact you."
Set Expectations for Supervision
If they're under 16: "Instagram requires that I set up supervision for your account. Here's what I will and won't see..." Be transparent about your access and your intentions. Explain you're not reading their messages or trying to control their friendshipsâyou're watching for safety issues. If they're 16-17 and supervision is optional: explain why you're asking them to opt in and what you're hoping to accomplish.
Negotiate (Where Appropriate)
For older teens, consider: "What would make you feel like you have enough freedom whilst I feel you're safe? Can we agree on weekly check-ins instead of daily monitoring? Can we agree you'll tell me if someone makes you uncomfortable rather than me reviewing every follower?" Finding middle ground builds trust and gives them appropriate autonomy.
Discuss What Happens If Rules Are Broken
Be clear about consequences: "If I find out you've created a secret account to avoid these protections, we'll need to take a break from Instagram entirely for a while. I'm not trying to punish youâI'm trying to teach you that these boundaries exist for a reason." Then follow through if needed. Empty threats teach teens your rules don't matter.
The Tone Matters More Than the Words
Teens can tell when you're approaching this as "I'm enforcing rules because I'm the parent" vs. "I'm trying to help you navigate something complicated." The first approach breeds resentment and secrecy. The second approach builds trust and openness. Make it clear you're on their team, working together to figure out healthy social media use, not adversaries where you're trying to control them and they're trying to rebel.
Ongoing Monitoring: What to Watch For
Teen Accounts help, but you still need to watch for warning signs that something's wrong
Red Flags on Instagram Itself
- Sudden increase in time spent: If weekly screen time jumps significantly, investigate why. Are they binge-scrolling due to stress? Is there drama happening?
- Following accounts that bypass protections: Check their following list periodically. Are they following adult content creators, pro-eating disorder accounts, or other harmful accounts that slipped through?
- Being followed by suspicious accounts: Adult strangers, fake-looking profiles with no posts, accounts with provocative usernamesâthese are red flags even on private accounts.
- Notifications about reports/blocks: If your parental supervision alerts you that they're frequently reporting or blocking people, that's a sign of negative interactions worth discussing.
- Posting content that seems unlike them: Overly provocative posts, concerning captions, or content that feels like cry-for-helpâthese need immediate conversation.
Behavioural Changes Offline
- Mood shifts after Instagram use: Teens who feel worse after scrolling (sad, anxious, inadequate) are experiencing the comparison trap. Discuss what they're seeing and how it makes them feel.
- Secretive phone behaviour: Hiding screen, angling phone away, quickly switching apps when you approachâsigns they're viewing or posting content they don't want you to see.
- Social withdrawal: Choosing Instagram over real-world friendships, declining social invitations to stay home scrolling, losing interest in activities they used to enjoy.
- Sleep disruption: Staying up late on phone despite "sleep mode," being tired during the day, struggling to wake up for schoolâeven with time limits, teens can ignore them.
- Self-esteem issues: Negative comments about appearance, comparing themselves to influencers, expressing feelings of inadequacyâInstagram's highlight reels affect teen mental health profoundly.
- Appetite/eating changes: Especially watch for signs of disordered eating after following fitness/diet influencers. Instagram has a documented problem with pro-eating disorder content slipping through filters.
Monthly Check-In Checklist
Use this checklist once a month to ensure your teen's Instagram use remains healthy:
Common Questions About Instagram Teen Accounts
The questions every parent is asking right nowâanswered with evidence and honesty
Instagram Teen Accounts are a new account type that launched globally on October 15, 2025 (rolled out October 14-15 depending on timezone). They're essentially PG-13-style accounts with built-in safety restrictions for users under 18. All existing accounts for users under 16 were automatically converted to Teen Accounts, whilst 16-17 year olds were given the option to opt-in or keep standard accounts. The update includes private-by-default accounts, restricted DMs, content filtering, time limit reminders, sleep mode, and parental supervision tools.
The official minimum age for Instagram is 13 years old globally. Users must be at least 13 to create an account according to Instagram's Terms of Service, which complies with the U.S. Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). Users aged 13-15 automatically receive Teen Accounts with locked safety features, whilst 16-17 year olds can choose to opt into Teen Accounts or maintain standard accounts with more autonomy.
Instagram is significantly safer for 13 year olds with the new Teen Accounts (October 2025) than it was previously. Teen Accounts provide automatic private accounts, messaging restrictions, content filtering, and mandatory parental supervision. However, it's not completely safeârisks remain including cyberbullying from known contacts, comparison anxiety, screenshot sharing, and potential mental health impacts. Active parent involvement, open communication, and teaching digital literacy remain essential for true safety.
To monitor your child's Instagram: 1) Have your teen send you a supervision invitation from Settings â Supervision â Invite Parent, 2) Download Instagram and create an account if needed, 3) Accept the supervision request, 4) Access Family Centre to view time spent, followers, following lists, and set time limits. You cannot read their messages or view private posts, but you can see who they interact with and receive notifications when they report or block accounts. For children under 16, supervision is mandatory.
Teen Accounts include: Automatic private accounts (must approve all followers); messaging restrictions (can only receive DMs from people they follow or are connected to); sensitive content filtering (blocks mature content from Explore and Reels); time limit reminders after 60 minutes daily; sleep mode (mutes notifications 10pm-7am by default); restricted tagging and mentions (only from people they follow); and limited ad targeting. For users under 16, these settings are locked and require parent approval to change. 16-17 year olds can modify some settings themselves.
For teens under 16, parental controls are mandatory and activated through Instagram's Family Centre. Your teen must send you a supervision invitation from their account (Settings â Supervision â Invite Parent). You'll receive a notification to download Instagram and create an account if you don't have one. Once connected, you can view their activity time, see who follows them and who they follow, set additional time limits beyond the default 60-minute reminder, manage privacy settings, and receive notifications when they report someone or block accounts. The process takes about 10-15 minutes to set up initially.
It depends on age. Users under 16 cannot disable most Teen Account protections without parent approval. The private account, messaging restrictions, and content filters are locked. However, teens 16-17 can modify many settings themselves without parent permission, though they still have some baseline protections. All teens can request to change their birthdate to bypass restrictions, but Instagram requires ID verification for any age change, making this difficult but not impossible.
Teen Accounts are significantly safer than previous Instagram accounts, but they're not foolproof. The protections reduce risks from strangers, unwanted DMs, and inappropriate content. However, they don't protect against: cyberbullying from known contacts (classmates your teen follows can still harass them), screenshot sharing (private content can still be captured and shared elsewhere), teens sharing their location in posts, excessive time spent on the app (reminders can be dismissed), comparison anxiety from edited photos and highlight reels, or teens lying about their age during signup. Teen Accounts are a strong baseline, but active parent involvement remains essential for true safety.
Teen Accounts are private by default (regular accounts are public), have messaging restrictions (regular accounts can receive DMs from anyone), include automatic content filtering (regular accounts require manual setup), provide parental supervision tools (regular accounts have no built-in parent access), limit who can tag or mention them (regular accounts have no restrictions), and include time reminders and sleep mode (regular accounts don't). Additionally, Teen Accounts under 16 require parent approval for major setting changes, whilst regular accounts have no such requirement.
Instagram uses multiple methods: self-reported birthdate during signup, AI technology that estimates age from profile content and behaviour patterns, and ID verification for age disputes or changes. If Instagram suspects someone lied about their age, they may require government ID upload or video selfie for third-party age verification. However, many teens still bypass this by lying during initial signup before building their account, as Instagram's AI detection isn't perfect and takes time to flag suspicious accounts.
No, Instagram's parental controls don't allow parents to read their teen's messages or see private posts. You can see time spent on the app, who follows them, who they follow, accounts they've blocked or reported, and privacy settings. But you cannot access DMs, see what they post unless you follow their account (and they approve you), or view their browsing history. Instagram says this balance protects teen privacy whilst giving parents visibility into concerning behaviours. Critics argue it's not enough oversight for younger teens.
For teens under 16, parental supervision is required by Instagram and they will eventually restrict the account if not set up. You have leverage hereâexplain that it's not optional and the alternative is losing Instagram access entirely. For 16-17 year olds, supervision is optional, making this trickier. Consider: explaining your concerns calmly without lecturing, negotiating (perhaps less restrictive monitoring in exchange for transparency), setting household rules (supervision required to keep the app on their phone), or using device-level parental controls as backup. Forcing the issue may drive them to secret accounts, so balance enforcement with maintaining trust.
No, Teen Accounts help but don't eliminate these risks. Cyberbullying from classmates and known contacts still happens because teens mutually follow each otherâTeen Accounts don't filter content from approved followers. Mental health issues from comparison, FOMO, and seeking validation through likes remain problems even with content filtering. Time limits can be dismissed, and 'sleep mode' doesn't prevent late-night scrolling if teens choose to ignore it. Teen Accounts are harm reduction, not elimination. Parents still need ongoing conversations about online behaviour, monitoring for signs of distress (depression, anxiety, eating disorders), and teaching critical media literacy skills about curated content vs. reality.
Your Instagram Teen Account Action Plan
A practical step-by-step roadmap for implementing and monitoring Teen Accounts effectively
Verify Teen Account Status
Check whether your teen's Instagram account was converted to a Teen Account. Use the verification steps in the "How to Check" section above. If they're under 16 and DON'T have a Teen Account, Instagram has the wrong birthdateâyou'll need to correct this by reporting it and requiring ID verification.
Set Up Parental Supervision (If Required)
For teens under 16, parental supervision is mandatory. Follow the setup steps in this guide to connect through Family Centre. For 16-17 year olds, have a conversation about whether they'll opt into Teen Accounts and parental supervision voluntarily. Don't skip thisâit's your foundation for ongoing monitoring.
Have "The Conversation"
Use the conversation scripts in this guide to discuss the changes with your teen. Explain what Teen Accounts do, why they exist, what you will and won't monitor, and what your expectations are. Make it collaborative rather than punitive. Listen to their concerns and find appropriate middle ground where possible (especially for older teens).
Review Settings Together
Sit with your teen and walk through their account settings together. Check that their account is private, messaging is restricted properly, and sensitive content filter is enabled. Check their follower list for suspicious accounts (adults they don't know, clearly fake profiles). Discuss any concerning accounts they follow and explain why certain content isn't healthy. Make this educational, not confrontational.
Conduct Regular Check-Ins
Use the monthly checklist in this guide to review: time spent on Instagram, new followers and following, any reports or blocks, their mood and behaviour offline, and whether settings are still configured correctly. Keep check-ins brief and focused on safety, not micromanaging their social life. Adjust frequency based on age (weekly for 13-15, bi-weekly or monthly for 16-17).
Watch for Behavioural Changes
Monitor for signs that Instagram is negatively impacting their mental health: mood shifts after scrolling, social withdrawal, sleep disruption, self-esteem issues, or disordered eating patterns. If you notice these, don't immediately blame Instagramâhave a conversation about what they're seeing and how it's affecting them. Consider reducing time limits, taking temporary breaks, or seeking professional support if needed.
Reassess and Adjust
Every 3 months, have a bigger-picture conversation: Is Instagram still working for them? Are they using it in healthy ways? Do any rules need adjusting as they mature? Should time limits be loosened or tightened? This isn't one-size-fits-allâwhat works for your family will evolve as your teen demonstrates responsibility (or doesn't).
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