Should I let my child use Instagram?
18+
No
Not for under-18s right now. A US jury found Meta, which owns Instagram, hid what it knew about the sexual exploitation of children, and Meta is appealing.
Instagram's Teen Accounts are a real improvement: under-18s get private accounts, messages only from people they follow, and filtered content, and under-16s need a parent's permission to loosen any of it. But in 2026 a New Mexico jury found that Meta misled the public about the sexual exploitation of children on Instagram and Facebook, after investigators posing as children were contacted by adults. Meta is appealing, so the case is still open, and under our rules that's a no. In October 2026 the UK regulator Ofcom also opened an investigation into Instagram's new disappearing photos (the app calls them Instants). If your teenager already uses Instagram, the steps below reduce the risks.
Instagram fails 1 of our 7 safety checks. See how we decided, and the official age ratings
What is Instagram?
Instagram is an app for sharing photos and short videos (Reels), following friends and famous people, and sending private messages. Instagram says users must be at least 13.
Our advice by age
- Under 13
- NoInstagram's own minimum age is 13. Younger children often join by giving a false date of birth, which removes the Teen Account protections.
- 13 to 15
- NoTeen Accounts are at their strictest, and your child needs your permission to loosen them. But Meta's case over child exploitation is still open.
- 16 and 17
- NoOlder teens can loosen their own settings unless you turn on supervision. If your teenager already uses Instagram, set up every step below.
What to watch out for
Contact from strangersRisk is high by default, medium with controls on
Teen Accounts limit messages to people your child follows, but strangers can still send follow requests and comment on public posts. New Mexico's investigators found adults contacting accounts posing as children.
Harmful posts and videosRisk is high by default, medium with controls on
The feed learns what keeps your child watching. Teen Accounts filter mature content, and a stricter Limited Content setting goes further, but neither catches everything.
Disappearing photosRisk is medium by default, medium with controls on
Instants are photos that disappear once viewed. The UK regulator is investigating whether Meta checked their risks before launch.
Time and self-imageRisk is high by default, medium with controls on
The endless feed and likes can pull children in and affect how they feel about themselves. Teen Accounts send a reminder after an hour and go quiet overnight, and parents can set daily limits with supervision.
What's good about it
- Teen Accounts are private by default, with filtered content
- Under-16s need a parent's permission to loosen their settings
- Supervision lets parents see who their teen messages, set time limits and get alerts
If your child already uses it
If your child already uses Instagram, these steps make it much safer. Takes about ten minutes. Do it with your child so they know what's switched on and why.
Use your child's real date of birth
Teen Account protections depend on it. A false birthday removes them.
Turn on supervision
In your child's settings, open Family Centre and link it to your own account. Then they need your approval to loosen any setting, even at 16 and 17.
Keep their account private
Teen Accounts start private. Check it stays that way, and that messages are limited to people they follow.
Choose the Limited Content setting
It filters more mature content and turns off comments on their posts.
Set a daily time limit
Through supervision, set a daily limit and sleep hours.
Talk about strangers and images
Agree they'll tell you if anyone they don't know messages them, asks for photos or wants to move to another app.
Recent news
- Ofcom opens investigation into Meta over Instagram Instants risk checksThe Next Web
The UK regulator is investigating whether Meta checked the risks of Instagram's disappearing photos to children before launching them.
- New Mexico court orders Meta to pay $567 million over mental health harms to kids onlinePBS NewsHour
On top of March's jury verdict, a judge ordered Meta to pay $567 million more. Meta says it will appeal.
- Strengthening Teen Accounts with new safety updates on Instagram and FacebookMeta
Meta says it is using AI to find teens who lied about their age, and will alert parents if their teen repeatedly searches for self-harm.
- US jury orders Meta to pay $375m for endangering childrenAl Jazeera
A New Mexico jury found Meta misled the public about the risks of child sexual exploitation on its apps.
Common questions
What age is Instagram suitable for?
Right now we don't recommend it for under-18s. Instagram's own minimum age is 13, and the App Store rates it 12+, but Meta is appealing a verdict that it hid what it knew about the sexual exploitation of children on its apps.
Is Instagram safe for a 12-year-old?
No. Instagram requires users to be at least 13. Children who join with a false date of birth also lose the protections of Teen Accounts.
What are Instagram Teen Accounts?
Every user under 18 gets one automatically. They're private by default, limit who can message and tag your child, and filter mature content. Under-16s need your permission to loosen the settings.
Can strangers message my child on Instagram?
Teen Accounts limit messages to people your child follows. But strangers can send follow requests, and if your child accepts, they can message. With supervision, you can see who your child messages, though not what they say.
All my child's friends use it. What should I do?
That's hard when friends share everything on it. We'd still say no for now, but explain why rather than just saying it: talk about strangers, what the feed shows them and how it can make them feel. If your teenager already uses Instagram, turn on supervision, keep their account private and keep talking about what they see.
What would change your verdict?
Meta's case over the exploitation of children ending well. Even then, because anyone can post, the best possible answer would be 'only with conditions'.
How old was your child when they first used Instagram?
Other parents' answers. They don't change our verdict.