(Credit: Meta)
With Teen Accounts, Instagram is acknowledging the tension between teens who want to use the app and parents who are uneasy about unfettered access. A limited version of the feature debuted in 2024, with new users under 16 automatically assigned a Teen Account. Meta has added other controls since then, like preventing live streams and viewing sensitive images; parents can decide whether to lessen some of those protections.
It's a positive step, but Teen Accounts don't remove all of the dangers or threats. I recently activated one for my 14-year-old, and there are a few things parents should know.
How to Get Started With an Instagram Teen Account
The first step is for your teen to create an Instagram account, if they don’t already have one. The parent or kid will then need to send a request for supervision from inside the mobile app. Select More > Settings > Supervision > Create Invite.
Copy the link and share it with the other person in whatever manner is the easiest. Once the request has been accepted, a parent will be able to supervise their teen’s account.
(Credit: Meta)By default, teen accounts are private. They also have a few other precautions enabled.
- They can only be messaged by people they follow.
- They should see fewer sensitive posts and comments.
- They can only be tagged or mentioned by people they follow.
- Time reminders are shown after 60 minutes of use per day.
- Sleep mode is turned on between 10 p. m. and 7 a.m., with notifications muted.
- They can't do live videos.
If the time and sleep mode reminders aren’t enough of a deterrent, parents can set stricter time limits that will block access to the app once those have been reached for the day. Access during specific times, like school hours, can also be blocked.
What Parents Can See About Their Teen's Account
Parents will gain a limited view into their teen's account, including:
- People they’ve messaged within seven days.
- Their followers and people they’re following.
- The amount of time spent on the app.
These items can be accessed under Settings and activity > Family Center on the parent's Instagram account.
What Parents Can't See With Instagram's Teen Accounts
Although parents do gain high-level access to their teen's account, they won’t be able to see these aspects of their child’s account.
- A teen’s chat transcripts [DMs]
- Their searches
- Their posts or Stories (if you don’t follow them)
A Parent's Take on Teen Accounts
(Credit: Meta)Having some restrictions enabled by default for teens signing up to Instagram with their real birth date is a win. The problem is that even with all the available controls turned on and strengthened, there's still a lot of potential garbage in the feed.
Reels are still suggested in the main feed, and you can only hide them for 30 days. I found that while Instagram said it would show less sensitive content, it still defaulted to showing political content. I had to deactivate that toggle in the settings. I would love the option to turn off all posts from accounts that aren't from people teens follow—the original Instagram experience.
Everyone's family is different, so I don't think it's worth recommending who should and shouldn't sign up for an Instagram Teen Account. But don't forget that kids are smart, and if they want to get around parental controls or digital supervision, they probably will. So, I would recommend talking to your teen about the things you want them to be cautious of when using the social app.