Instagram has a solid set of parental controls that all parents should consider using on their child's account. And here's how to do just that.
Instagram is a great app for connecting with loved ones and having fun, but it also comes with issues that would worry most parents. Cyberbullying, harassment, shopping scams, racism and body shaming are all present on Instagram, the same way they are on most websites and apps these days.
Fortunately for parents, Instagram has a solid set of parental controls designed to keep your kids safe without the need to stop them from using the app at all. In this article, we'll show you how to set up and use Instagram's parental controls, allowing you to keep your child relatively safe from harm.
How to set up and use parental controls on Instagram
Instagram comes with multiple features to help you make it a safe space for your offspring. Below are the parental controls you should use to protect your kids while using Instagram.
Make your child's Instagram account private
Once your child is 13 or older, you can allow them to create an Instagram account, but be sure to keep the account private. Instagram accounts are set to be public by default. Therefore, it is essential to switch the account to private. A private account means that not everyone can see what they are posting.
To change an Instagram account from public to private:
- Go to the Instagram profile page of your child.
- Select the three lines in the upper right corner.
- Toccata Settings .
- Go to Privacy .
- Scroll the button Private account to activate it.
Disable Geotagging
Geotagging allows you to update your location and add your coordinates to the app. It therefore allows people to see exactly where you are. Which obviously isn't ideal when it comes to children.
Thankfully, geotags can be removed from Instagram with a few basic steps. All you need to do is:
- Select Settings on your phone.
- Go up App .
- Go to Instagram.
- In the Permissions option, tap Location and change its permission settings to “Care”
Once geotagging is disabled, your child's profile will not be visible on the map.
Block unwanted contacts
Some teens have an unhealthy obsession with becoming popular on social media. Which can draw unwanted attention to their Instagram profiles.
Ideally, children should only interact with people they know personally. If you suspect that uninvited guests have logged out of your child's Instagram account, the best thing to do is remove them from their follower list.
Select followers on their profile. There will be a button to remove them from the list. Tap that button to confirm.
Before allowing your kids to subscribe to Instagram, it's best to sit down with them and discuss the importance of keeping their Instagram limited to people they really know in real life.
To block a contact on Instagram:
- Go to yours Instagram profile and select follower .
- Click on the contact you want to block.
- Select i 3 points at the top of their profile.
- Select Block from the menu
Keep personal details to a minimum
Each Instagram profile includes an option to add a bio. Some people will add a lot of personal information, including their hometown, phone number, and profession. However, while this is fine for most adults, it's not something kids should be doing on Instagram.
So instead, encourage your kids to write an intriguing bio with quotes, something funny, or a few simple lines to describe who they are rather than including personal details.
Stop following inappropriate content
There are many types of content available on Instagram, some of which may not be suitable for your child to watch. Over time, Instagram is adding more display options to the feed, some of which may not be the type of content you want your kids to watch. As a parent, it is essential to keep an eye on the pages your children are following.
If you see something unwanted or inappropriate, simply follow these steps:
- Go to Instagram profile page .
- Select Following .
- Tap the button Following in front of the user you want to unfollow.
- Select Stop it to follow from the options displayed.
Hide stories or limit them to close friends
Instagram has a feature to hide the stories of one or more people. They won't see it in their news feed or receive notifications about it. Hiding stories that might be offensive from a particular audience is a great way to maintain good relationships while keeping your freedom.
However, as a parent, you must have account access to keep tabs on what your child is posting. Hiding stories is also a great way to make your child realize that what you post on your profile isn't meant to be seen by everyone out there. To hide an Instagram story:
- Go to the page of Profile .
- Select the three lines in the upper right corner.
- Toccata Settings .
- Go to Privacy .
- Select History .
- Add the users you want to customize from or create a list of friends closed.
Add restrictions for limited interactions
This relatively new feature allows users to restrict users from performing certain actions. As a parent, you can also add restrictions to your child's Instagram profile so that some people can no longer comment, email or share their content. You can also turn off message requests to avoid unwanted interactions.
Internet trolls are no joke, and cyberbullying can lead to mental health issues like depression and low self-esteem. It is essential to limit the interaction for the sake of your child's mental health.
