Questions to prompt discussion with students:

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Key Takeaways:

• Spending more time than intended on social media is a common problem for students and adults alike
• Excessive social media time can create agitation, interfere with sleep, and cause other problems
• Social media apps like Instagram use algorithms designed to keep people online as long as possible
• Apps like Opal and Clear Space can help students break addictive social-media habits
• Regular “power scrolls” through social media accounts can help students re-evaluate what they want to see on their Instagram feed—cutting down the accounts they follow to prioritize the ones they really enjoy and spend less time on the app overall

Dialogue Starters:

Parents of Elementary School Students (to ask students)

Finding your favorites

• What people or accounts would you be most interested in following on Instagram, if you could only choose five?

Parents of Middle School Students (to ask students)

Choosing wisely

• How do you decide which accounts you want to follow on Instagram so you can make the most of the app while keeping use down to a healthy level? 

Parents of High School Students (to ask students)

Protecting valuable time

• How could it be helpful to use an app designed to make people more aware of the amount of time they’re spending on social media and keep it from becoming a mindless habit?

‍Additional Instagram resources

• Apple Parental Controls (iPhones and Other Apple Devices)
• Android Digital Wellbeing and Parental Controls: Complete Guide for Parents
• Google Play Parental Controls: How to Block Mature Apps & Media
• Google Family Link Guide for Parents & Educators
• Family Media Dialogue Guide and Agreement Templates
• ‍How to use Instagram to impress colleges (video and tips)
• Instagram & Snapchat Safety Tips
• How to Discuss Instagram Safety with Students
• New Instagram & Snapchat Features Parents Need to Know
• Use Instagram to Impress College Admission Officers
• How to Make Instagram & Snapchat Safe for Kids
• How to Set Up Instagram: a Guide for Students
• How to Build a Positive Teen Instagram Profile
• What Parents Need to Know about Instagram's Threads

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.