How to Set up Instagram Parental Controls? [2023]

Instagram is a popular social media platform for sharing photos and videos and connecting with friends and family. Even though it is an excellent tool for socializing, it is imperative to monitor child's online activity to ensure they are not exposed to inappropriate content.

1Is Instagram Appropriate for Kids?

Kids can explore, socialize, and stay in touch with friends and family on Instagram. Still, the platform can also expose them to content that isn't appropriate, such as photographs of people who are scantily clad or engaged in risky behavior. Moreover, kids tend to develop influenced by everything they see online, which may contribute to social anxiety and self-esteem issues.

It is vital for parents to talk to their kids about using social media responsibly and to watch their activities. If you are concerned about your child using Instagram, you may want to consider talking to them about alternative ways with privacy measures to stay in touch with their loved ones.

2What Parents Need to Know about Instagram?

Undoubtedly, social media platforms like Instagram have taken the world by storm. Everyone is on Instagram, sharing photos and stories with friends and followers. While there is certainly nothing wrong with using Instagram, parents should keep a few things in mind.

Talking to your child about online safety and privacy is essential. Instagram can be great fun, but it's important to know the potential risks. There have been claims of cyberbullying and harassment on Instagram, so you need to talk to your kids about how to stay safe online. Secondly, monitoring your child's activity on Instagram is more important than ever. Even if you trust your child to use the platform responsibly, it's still a good idea to keep an eye out.

3Does Instagram Launch New Parental Controls?

Earlier this year, Instagram announced the implementation of parental control functionality. Among the parental control features Meta plans to include in Instagram are the following:

It appears that parental controls are currently functional in the United States and the UK, but users in other regions might have difficulty using them. If you don't find the parental control option, you can still use privacy settings to restrict unwanted interactions with your kids.

4How to Set up Instagram Parental Controls?

Several features on Instagram will allow your child to control who can view their posts, stories, and reels. It is now possible to disclose and report content that violates the community's guidelines or upsets them. The screen monitoring feature allows parents to collect information about their kids' interactions with others and their viewing content. Here's how you can set parental control on Instagram.

Step 1. Create a Private Account

It is the first and foremost priority for parents to set up a private Instagram account for their kids. In this way, their content will be visible to only followers and the ones they approve of sharing with.

1. Open Instagram application.
2. Navigate to profile and click on Settings.
3. Select privacy and turn on the Private account tab.

Step 2. Block Unidentified Users

Parents can block strangers and suspicious users who might be looking for kids' location and activities through their posts and surroundings. Following these easy steps, parents can help protect their kids from harmful content and predators.

1. Open the Instagram app and go to your profile.
2. Tap the three dots in the top right corner and select "Settings."
3. Tap "Privacy" and then "Blocked Accounts."
4. Tap "Add Block" and type in the username of the user you want to block. Tap "Block" to confirm.

Step 3. Limit Users

The feature can be used if you want to get rid of unwanted or disturbing comments. To temporarily limit users:

1. Open Instagram profile > Settings > Privacy.
2. Limits. Tap continue.



3. Determine the time and users you want to limit.
4. Tap Turn on.

Additionally, you can limit Accounts that do not follow you, including the most recent followers. There is an option to select a limit from one day to four weeks.

Step 4. Restrict an Account

As a parent, you want to do everything you can to keep your kids safe online. That includes monitoring their social media activity and restricting unwanted or inappropriate accounts. Here's how you can do that on Instagram:

1. Open the app and go to your child's profile.
2. Tap the three dots in the top right corner.
3. From here, you'll see the option "Restricted Accounts." Tap that.

Now, any account you restrict will not be able to see your child's posts or send them direct messages. You can also approve any comments or tags from restricted accounts before they appear on your child's posts. Remember that you can always edit or remove these restrictions at any time.

Step 5. Manage Messages

Instagram is rolling out a server-side update that brings new ways to filter the account's activities, including Limits for unwanted messages, hidden words, Instagram live privacy, and IG post interactions.

Navigate to the privacy menu in settings to configure Messages Settings.

Step 6. Manage comments

Instagram has long been criticized for its lack of features to block specific inappropriate comments. However, this is no longer the case. Fortunately, Instagram can block comments that contain exact keywords or phrases. You can also set up filters to hide inappropriate or offensive remarks in comments.

1. Open application > Settings > Privacy.
2. Select comments .

You can block comments from suspicious or strange users depending on your preferences.

Step 7. Manage Mentions

Users sometimes experience awkward situations when strangers or new users mention them in irrelevant posts or persuade them to take action publicly. If you prefer, you can allow only friends to mention you or keep the settings according to your preferences.

1. Open the application.
2. Click on the Privacy option in the Settings menu .
3. Tap on the "Mention" menu and select whom you allow to take this action.

Step 8. Use Story Controls to Disable Public Messages

You can change the settings to ensure that only private messages can be sent as replies to stories, which are public and therefore less prone to annoying comments.

Navigate back to the "Privacy" section of Instagram settings and select Stories. Change the setting under "Allow message replies" to "People you follow" or "Off."

Step 9. Turn off the Activity Status

If you're concerned about people tracking your kid's Instagram activity and the amount of time they spend online, you can turn off their activity status. This will ensure that no one can see when they were last active or how long they were online. Here's how to turn off the activity status for your kid's account:

1. Open the Instagram app and go to your kid's profile.
2. Tap the three dots in the top-right corner.
3. Tap Activity Status.



4. Confirm by tapping Turn Off.

Once you've turned off activity status, no one can see when your kid was last active or how long they were online. Ensure you can access their online status through the AirDroid Parental Control application.

5Another Parental Control Guide：AirDroid Parental Control

Even though Instagram parental control isn't officially available worldwide, users can monitor their child's activities with AirDroid Parental Control, the best and top-rated parental control application. It boasts incredible features, such as the ability to see what content your child is viewing, limit who they can communicate with, and set realistic time limits, remotely monitoring your kid's phone surroundings, screen time control for social media, games & apps blocking.

You can also block access to specific users or restrict accounts and set daily time limits for your child to promote a more balanced usage of social applications. In addition, it syncs notifications and alerts from your kid's phone to yours, so you'll never miss what is important again.

Steps to use AirDroid Parental Control

Step 1. Download and set up AirDroid Parental Control on your smartphone.

Step 2. Once you set up AirDroid Parental Control on your device, you will be automatically directed to the registration page.

Step 3. Register for an account and sign in.

Step 4. You will need to install AirDroid Kids on the device to monitor. After the installation is complete, launch AirDroid Kids and configure the device accordingly.To connect the device, you must enter the pairing code. It is now possible to check what your kids are up to on social media, especially Instagram.

Wrapping Up

As a parent, you want to do everything you can to protect your child from harm. But in today's digital age, it's not always easy to track what your child is doing online. With so many social media platforms and online activities, it can be challenging to know what your child is up to at all times.

There are plenty of ways to keep kids safe online, but one of the best is creating a private account. If you're concerned about your child's activity on Instagram. Moreover, we recommend taking advantage of the AirDroid Parental Control application. This will allow them to only interact with people you approve of and prevent them from seeing insensitive or harmful content.

6FAQs about Instagram Parental Controls

1. How Do You Block Inappropriate Photos on Instagram?

Elsa

To configure Sensitive Content Control, Open the Instagram application, click on the Settings menu and select Accounts. You can choose how much sensitive content you want to see on the device if you like. There are options for More, Standard, and Less sensitive content in the Sensitive content controls menu.

2. How Can I See My Child's Secret Instagram?

Elsa

If you notice your child spending more time on their smartphones than usual, they might have a secret IG account or are concealing something from you. One way is to ask your child directly. This may seem obvious, but it is often the most effective.

Or Parents can install and set up a parental control application such as AirDroid Parental Control, which allows them to monitor their social activities, access their accounts, and alerts them when something is inappropriate.

3. How Do I Add Sensitive Content Warnings on Instagram?

Elsa

Instagram has strict community guidelines for upsetting and inappropriate content that is usually deleted. Management can also remove accounts that violate the guidelines. You can set Less sensitive content options under Settings > Accounts > Sensitive content controls if you don't want to view sensitive content.

4. Is Instagram Safe for 12 Year Olds?

Elsa

No, Instagram is highly addictive. Even mature users spend hours scrolling and watching reels and posts. Moreover, the platform offers fake influential content, promotes nudity, and requires strict supervision for tweens to prevent low confidence issues or anxiety.

5. How to Restrict Inappropriate Content on Instagram?

Elsa

To restrict inappropriate content.

Step 1: Open the Instagram application.

Step 2: Click on the Settings menu, and select Accounts.

Step 3: There are options for More, Standard, and Less sensitive content in the Sensitive content controls menu. You can choose how much sensitive content you want to see on the device if you like.

6. Can You Put Parental Controls on Instagram?

Elsa

In case you're interested in using parental control on Instagram, AirDroid Parental Control may be the best app for you. The app combines advanced features to monitor, restrict, and filter inappropriate content. Instagram official parental control is in the initial phase and is currently available in the US.