TL;DR: Instagram has overhauled how minors use the app with "Teen Accounts." These are automatic, built-in protections for everyone under 18 that limit who can message them, what kind of "brain rot" or sensitive content they see, and how long they can scroll before the app tells them to go to sleep. If your kid is under 16, they need your permission to change these settings back.
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For years, we’ve been playing a game of "whack-a-mole" with privacy settings. You’d set something up, Instagram would update the app, and suddenly your kid’s profile was public again or they were getting DMs from "crypto bros" in Dubai.
In late 2024, Meta finally got the memo (and likely some pressure from regulators) and launched Teen Accounts. This isn't just a new menu; it’s a fundamental shift in how the app behaves for users under 18. Instead of parents having to opt-in to safety, the safety is now the default "factory setting."
If your teen is already on the app, they’ve likely been migrated. If they’re just joining, they start here. For those aged 13-15, these settings are locked unless a parent gives the green light to loosen them. For 16 and 17-year-olds, the settings are still the default, but they can toggle them off manually—unless you’ve linked your accounts via Supervision.
Despite TikTok being the king of short-form video and Snapchat being the primary texting tool for Gen Z, Instagram is still the "digital mall." It’s where they post the "photo dump" from the weekend, check out what their crush is doing on their Story, and send an endless stream of Reels to the group chat.
When everything in their world feels "Ohio" (weird or cringe), Instagram is where they curate their best selves. It’s a mix of genuine connection and high-pressure performance. It’s also where they encounter the "explore page" algorithm, which can go from "cute puppies" to "unrealistic body standards" in about three swipes.
The new Teen Account structure focuses on three main "danger zones": who can talk to them, what they see, and how much time they waste.
1. Private Accounts by Default
All teens are now defaulted into private accounts. This means they have to manually approve every single follower. If someone isn't a follower, they can't see the teen's content or interact with it. This is the single biggest win for keeping "creeps" at bay.
2. Messaging Restrictions
This is a big one. Teens can now only be messaged by people they already follow or are already connected to. No more random DMs from strangers appearing in the "Requests" folder. It effectively shuts the door on unsolicited contact.
3. Sensitive Content Limits
Instagram has always had a "Sensitive Content Control," but for Teen Accounts, it’s dialed up to the "most restrictive" setting. This limits the visibility of content that might depict violence, cosmetic procedures, or other "mature" topics in Reels and Explore. It’s not a perfect filter—nothing is—but it significantly thins out the "brain rot."
4. Sleep Mode and Time Limits
The app now sends "Time Limit Reminders" after 60 minutes of daily use. More importantly, Sleep Mode is enabled between 10 PM and 7 AM. This mutes notifications and sends auto-replies to DMs, telling people "Hey, I'm sleeping, talk tomorrow."
To make these settings "stick" for kids under 16, you have to use Parental Supervision. This involves sending an invite from your Instagram account to theirs (or vice versa).
Once linked, you can:
- See who they are messaging: You can't read the actual texts (privacy is still a thing), but you can see the list of accounts your teen has messaged in the last seven days.
- Set hard time limits: You can decide that 60 minutes is too much (or too little) and block access to the app after the limit is hit.
- See who they follow and who follows them: This is great for spotting that one "random 30-year-old" who somehow ended up in the mix.
Check out our step-by-step guide to setting up Instagram Supervision
The way you handle Instagram should change as your kid grows. A 13-year-old and a 17-year-old are basically different species when it comes to digital literacy.
- Ages 13-14: This is the "training wheels" phase. Use the full suite of Supervision tools. Be transparent about it. Say, "I'm not reading your tea, I'm just making sure the environment is safe."
- Ages 15-16: Start negotiating. If they’ve shown they can handle DMs and don't spend six hours a day doomscrolling, maybe you loosen the time limits but keep the private account setting locked.
- Ages 17+: At this point, they’re about to head into the "real world." The goal should be self-regulation. Talk to them about the algorithm and how it's designed to keep them hooked.
Let’s be real: teens are tech-native ninjas. If they want to bypass a setting, they’ll try. The most common workaround is the "Finsta" (Fake Instagram). They might show you their "clean" account while having a second, unlinked account on a different email address.
This is why technical settings are not a replacement for a conversation. If your kid feels like they have to hide their digital life from you, no amount of "Teen Account" locking will fix that.
Instead of making this a "I'm locking down your phone" moment, frame it as "Instagram finally made the app less annoying for you."
Try saying:
- "Hey, I saw Instagram updated their safety stuff. It looks like it’ll stop those random spam bots from DMing you, which is awesome."
- "I'm going to link our accounts for Supervision. It doesn't let me read your messages, but it helps us keep an eye on how much time the app is sucking out of your day."
- "If you see something weird or 'brain rot-y' in your Reels, let me know. The algorithm is weird, and we can reset it together."
The new Instagram Teen Accounts are a massive step in the right direction. They take the burden off parents to be "IT Security Experts" and put the guardrails in by default. However, Instagram is still a business built on attention. Their goal is to keep your kid on the app. Your goal is to keep your kid balanced.
Use these tools as a foundation, but keep the dialogue open. If they’re saying everything is "Skibidi" and spending four hours a day on Instagram, it might be time to look at alternative hobbies for teens or a stricter digital detox.
- Check the App: Open your teen's Instagram and see if the "Teen Account" badge is active in their settings.
- Link Up: If they are under 16, initiate the Parental Supervision invite.
- Audit the Follow List: Spend 5 minutes scrolling through who they follow. If you see MrBeast, cool. If you see "GetRichQuick_99," maybe have a chat.
- Set the "Sleep" Boundary: Ensure Sleep Mode is active and that phones are charging in the kitchen overnight, not on the nightstand.
Learn more about the impact of social media on teen mental health