Supervision, private accounts, sensitive content
Last updated: March 2026
Set Up Instagram Supervision
On your phone, open the Instagram app. Go to your profile, then tap the three-line menu, then "Settings and privacy." Scroll to "Supervision" (under the "For parents" section). Tap "Get started" and follow the prompts. You can either send a request to your teen or have them send one to you. Your teen must approve the supervision connection. This works for teens aged 13-17.
Link Your Child's Account
Your teen will receive a notification in their Instagram app to approve supervision. Once they accept, you'll see a supervision dashboard. From here you can view their followers and accounts they follow, set time limits, see how much time they spend on Instagram, and view their privacy settings. Your teen can see that supervision is active.
Make Their Account Private
On your child's Instagram, go to Settings and privacy, then "Account privacy." Turn ON "Private account." With a private account, only approved followers can see your child's posts, stories, and Reels. Anyone new must send a follow request that your child can accept or deny. For teens under 16, Instagram makes accounts private by default, but always verify this is still enabled.
Set Sensitive Content Controls
On your child's Instagram, go to Settings and privacy, then "Content preferences," then "Sensitive content." Set the filter to "Less" (the strictest option). This reduces how much potentially sensitive content appears in Explore, Reels, Search, and recommendations. Instagram labels this as content that "may be upsetting or offensive."
Restrict Messages
Go to Settings and privacy, then "Messages and story replies." Under "Message controls," set "Others on Instagram" to "Don't receive requests" to prevent DMs from people your child doesn't follow. Instagram already restricts adults over 18 from messaging teens who don't follow them, but this adds an extra layer. Also turn off "Allow others to add you to groups."
Pro Tips
- •Instagram's "Take a Break" feature reminds your teen to stop after a set period of continuous scrolling. Enable it in Settings, then "Time management," then "Set daily time limit" or "Take a Break."
- •Disable "Activity status" in Settings so strangers can't see when your child was last active.
- •Review your child's "Close Friends" list. This is a way to share stories with a select group, and teens sometimes use this to share content they wouldn't post publicly.
What This Doesn’t Cover
- •Instagram Supervision does not let you see the content of direct messages. You can see who they message, but not what is said.
- •Your teen must consent to and maintain the supervision link. They are notified of what you can see.
- •Instagram has many features (Close Friends, Vanish Mode, Notes) that can be used to communicate in ways that aren't easily monitored.
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