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Instagram Safety Guide (For Parents)

Questions to prompt discussion with students:

Parents and Teachers: View the full VIP Facilitation Guide Here

Key Takeaways: 

  • The minimum age to have an Instagram account is 13; experts recommend parents enforce that guideline
  • Instagram is integrated with other apps including TikTok and Snapchat, and parents concerned about those apps should be aware of how the features overlap
  • Privacy is key. Students should have their Instagram account set to private, and parents/students should make sure the account is set so that only people students know directly can message them
  • As students get older and may be allowed to widen their circle of contacts, they need to know never to reveal personal information that could put them at risk

Dialogue Starters:

Parents of Elementary School Students (to ask students)

Not ready for Instagram?

  • Why do you think Instagram has a minimum age requirement for starting an account?

Parents of Middle School Students (to ask students)

Friends vs. “maybe” friends

  • How do you decide if someone is safe to chat with on Instagram, knowing that people sometimes pretend to be acquaintances when they really have no connection to you at all? 

Parents of High School Students (to ask students)

Protecting your privacy

  • What kinds of personal information are you careful to keep private from people you don’t know on Instagram?

Additional Instagram resources

Conclusion

Instagram can have a positive impact on your student’s digital footprint, as long as they are using it responsibly. Parents should have conversations with their students about appropriate behavior in the app and monitor their student’s Instagram accounts and who they are in direct communication with.

Instagram Safety Guide (For Parents)

Questions to prompt discussion with students:

Parents and Teachers: View the full VIP Facilitation Guide Here

Key Takeaways: 

  • The minimum age to have an Instagram account is 13; experts recommend parents enforce that guideline
  • Instagram is integrated with other apps including TikTok and Snapchat, and parents concerned about those apps should be aware of how the features overlap
  • Privacy is key. Students should have their Instagram account set to private, and parents/students should make sure the account is set so that only people students know directly can message them
  • As students get older and may be allowed to widen their circle of contacts, they need to know never to reveal personal information that could put them at risk

Dialogue Starters:

Parents of Elementary School Students (to ask students)

Not ready for Instagram?

  • Why do you think Instagram has a minimum age requirement for starting an account?

Parents of Middle School Students (to ask students)

Friends vs. “maybe” friends

  • How do you decide if someone is safe to chat with on Instagram, knowing that people sometimes pretend to be acquaintances when they really have no connection to you at all? 

Parents of High School Students (to ask students)

Protecting your privacy

  • What kinds of personal information are you careful to keep private from people you don’t know on Instagram?

Additional Instagram resources

Conclusion

Instagram can have a positive impact on your student’s digital footprint, as long as they are using it responsibly. Parents should have conversations with their students about appropriate behavior in the app and monitor their student’s Instagram accounts and who they are in direct communication with.

Other Lessons

Balancing Screen Time: Active vs. Passive

Balance Over Burnout: Life Beyond the Screen

When Gaming Takes Over