Is Instagram Safe for Children? What Parents Need to Know

Instagram, a video and photo sharing app is becoming increasingly popular among young and older teens. Is Instagram Safe for Children, During our parents seminars which we deliver at primary schools throughout the country we are regularly asked questions about Instagram. Parents are most concerned about what their child is sharing via Instagram and who they are sharing that content with. The immediacy of Instagram is also a concern for them, how quickly videos and photos can be uploaded and shared. Also many parents of older children are concerned about the long term implications for their child’s digital footprint.

Is Instagram Safe for Children? What Parents Need to Know

Instagram is a photo and video sharing app that continues to grow in popularity among young people, particularly older children and teenagers. During Zeeko’s parent seminars in primary schools across Ireland, Instagram is one of the platforms parents ask about most often.

Common concerns include what children are sharing, who they are sharing content with, how quickly images and videos can be uploaded, and the long-term impact this may have on a child’s digital footprint.

This guide outlines what parents need to know to help keep their child safe while using Instagram.

What is Instagram?

Instagram is a social networking app that allows users to share photos and videos taken on their smartphones. Users within a network can like, comment on and follow each other’s content.

• Instagram has over 150 million monthly users worldwide

• The minimum age requirement to create an account is 13

• Children can upload images and videos instantly

• Content can be shared publicly or privately

From our work in schools, we know that many children are using Instagram before the age of 13, often without parents being fully aware.

Why Parents are Concerned About Instagram?

Parents regularly express concerns about:

• How quickly content can be uploaded and shared

• Who is viewing and interacting with their child’s posts

• The pressure of likes, comments and followers

• The potential for cyberbullying

• The long-term impact on a child’s digital footprint

Understanding how Instagram works is an important first step in supporting your child online.

Instagram Privacy and Safety Settings

Instagram offers two main account settings:

Public Accounts

• Anyone using Instagram can view posts

• Photos and videos are visible to the wider public

Private Accounts

• Only approved followers can view content

• Follow requests must be accepted or ignored

• Offers greater control over who sees posts

Instagram can also reveal the location of the person posting, which is something parents should discuss with their child when reviewing settings.

Cyberbullying and Online Behaviour

Features such as liking, following and commenting can unfortunately lead to cyberbullying. This makes open communication essential.

Parents are encouraged to:

• Talk regularly with children about who they are communicating with online

• Ask about their experiences on Instagram

• Reassure children that they can talk openly without fear of punishment

Children should also be reminded to behave online in the same respectful way they would offline. At Zeeko school talks, we reinforce the importance of only being friends online with people they know in real life.

Have a look at our Zeeko Video on Instagram and safety settings.

Understanding Digital Footprint

Children often do not consider the long-term consequences of what they post online. In reality, online content cannot always be removed or fully erased.

At Zeeko, we use the T-Shirt Rule to explain this simply:

Before posting anything online, ask: “Would I be happy to wear this on the front of a T-shirt for everyone to see?”

If the answer is no, it should not be shared. Protecting a digital footprint from an early age is key to online safety.

The Importance of Ongoing Communication

Having an open communication style with your child is one of the most effective ways to support their online safety. Is Instagram Safe for Children, Regularly checking in, listening without judgement and encouraging them to speak to you—or another trusted adult—if something makes them uncomfortable can make a significant difference.

Additional Support from Zeeko

• Watch the Zeeko video on Instagram and safety settings

• Explore the Zeeko Internet Safety Guide for more in-depth advice on online safety

• Follow Zeeko on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn for regular updates and resources

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is Instagram Safe for Children?

Many parents ask, “Is Instagram Safe for Children?” The answer depends largely on how the app is used, the privacy settings in place, and the level of parental guidance. While Instagram has safety features, open communication and supervision are essential to help children use it responsibly.

2. What is the minimum age requirement for Instagram?

Instagram requires users to be at least 13 years old to create an account. However, from our experience working with schools, some children may access the app before this age. Parents should be aware of this and monitor usage accordingly.

3. Why are parents concerned about Instagram?

Parents often worry about:

• What their child is sharing

• Who can see their content

• The speed at which photos and videos are uploaded

• Cyberbullying

• The long-term impact on their child’s digital footprint

Understanding how the platform works is the first step in addressing these concerns.

4. What is the difference between a public and private Instagram account?

• Public accounts allow anyone on Instagram to view posts and interact.

• Private accounts require users to approve follow requests before others can see their content.

If parents are asking “Is Instagram Safe for Children?”, ensuring the account is set to private is an important first step.

5. Can Instagram reveal a child’s location?

Yes. If location services are enabled, posts can reveal where a photo or video was taken. Reviewing and adjusting location settings with your child can help improve safety.

6. How does Instagram impact a child’s digital footprint?

Content shared online may not be easily removed and can resurface later. Children often post in the moment without thinking about long-term consequences. Teaching them to pause and reflect before posting is key to protecting their digital footprint.

7. What is the T-Shirt Rule?

At Zeeko Education, we use the T-Shirt Rule to simplify digital safety:
Before posting, ask: “Would I be happy to wear this on the front of a T-shirt for everyone to see?”
If the answer is no, it shouldn’t be shared.

8. How can Instagram lead to cyberbullying?

Features such as likes, comments and followers can sometimes create social pressure. Negative comments, exclusion or comparison can affect a child’s wellbeing. Encouraging respectful online behaviour and regular conversations about their experiences can help reduce risks.

9. Should children only connect with people they know in real life?

Yes. One of the key messages reinforced during school talks is that children should only accept follow requests and interact with people they know offline. This reduces exposure to strangers and inappropriate interactions.

10. How can I talk to my child about Instagram safety?

Keep conversations open, calm and judgement-free. Ask questions about:

• Who they follow

• What they enjoy posting

• How Instagram makes them feel

If children feel safe speaking openly, they are more likely to seek help if something goes wrong.

11. What are the most important Instagram safety settings to review?

Parents should check:

• Account privacy (set to private)

• Location sharing settings

• Comment controls

• Who can send direct messages

• Screen time management tools

These settings help, but they are not a substitute for ongoing guidance.

12. Where can parents get further support?

If you are still wondering, “Is Instagram Safe for Children?”, additional guidance is available through Zeeko’s Internet Safety resources, parent seminars, and educational materials designed to support families navigating social media safely.

Explore Zeeko’s Home Page to discover our mission on the About Us Page, innovative Phone Blocking System, and engaging Phoenix Quest 10 programme. We provide Internet Safety Seminars, the Zeeko Report Card, and the Magical Leaders Choose Country initiative, alongside insights from our Digital Trend Report. Stay connected with us on Facebook and Instagram for updates.