Instagram

Instagram is still one of the most popular social networks. However, the multitude of options that Insta offers also harbors some risks. At best, parents should make sure that the app is set up to be childproof when they first log in. This can prevent dangers such as cybergrooming, hate messages or cyberbullying . In this topic, we provide you with important information about the settings you should know if your child uses Instagram. 

You can set up your own profile—or “bio”—with a profile picture and personal information. This includes, for example, your location, specific interests, or a link to a website. All uploaded posts are then saved to your profile and, depending on your privacy settings, may be visible to other users.

Users can share, comment on, and like photos, videos, and short clips (“Reels”) there. Content is no longer displayed solely by friends but is primarily selected by algorithms . This means your child doesn’t see content at random but specifically the content that generates the most attention.

According to the Terms of Use (as of July 2026), young people aged 13 and older can use the app.

In addition to many companies, numerous influencers also use Instagram to earn money by promoting products. Negative influences are often evident in distorted portrayals of reality, as well as problematic content and role models. You can find more on the topic of influencers in our dedicated section.

Instagram isn't inherently dangerous, but it does come with risks that parents should be aware of.

• Contact with strangers
• Cyberbullying
• Pressure to compare oneself to others
• Misuse of photos and videos
• Changing risks due to artificial intelligence (AI)

For minors , the default setting is “private account.” This allows them to decide for themselves who can view their content. However , they can change this setting at any time to make their profile public. Therefore, parents should make sure that their children keep their accounts set to “private” and do not reveal too much personal information. This helps prevent risks such as unwanted contact and cybergrooming . It is still advisable to make your child aware of the risks of unwanted contact. In general, children and teens should immediately end contact if their chat partners’ questions become uncomfortable or if they feel pressured.

If teens are nevertheless confronted with inappropriate posts or messages, Instagram offers the option to block and/or report posts, accounts, or messages. This prevents them from being displayed and may even result in their complete deletion by Instagram. Saferinternet.at provides step-by-step instructions for this .

Regardless of the images and videos posted by other users, teens should also pay special attention to what they themselves upload to Instagram. To feel safer in this regard, parents and teens themselves can ask themselves the following questions, for example:

• Does the image reveal your place of residence or similar information?
• Is the post perhaps too revealing?
• Does the image show people who haven’t been asked for permission beforehand?

If you can answer “yes” to one or more of these questions, you should refrain from posting it. This can help avoid many problems.

How does the Instagram feed work?

The posts from the people you “follow” appear in what’s called the Instagram feed. You can like, comment on, or share them. They can be sorted by publication date, by posts from “favorites,” or, by default, by an algorithm. Based on data it has already collected about a person, Instagram determines which posts might be of interest to them. Instagram collects this data regardless of the user’s personal data protection or privacy settings. As a result , young people primarily see content that grabs their attention—and not necessarily content that’s good for them.

If you want to keep a closer eye on how much time you spend on Instagram, you can

• view your activity,
• set reminders to limit your usage time, and
• turn off push notifications.

These settings are very helpful for children and teens themselves, as well as for parents, in keeping track of usage patterns.

In Episode 4 of our podcast “klicksafe asks...,” we explore the question, “How can we improve our digital well-being?” Together with communication scientist Dr. Ruth Wendt, we try to find answers to how we can enhance our digital well-being. Once again, a particular focus is on the question of how children and teens can learn to use digital media in a healthy way.

With“Parental Controls,” Instagram offers a way to keep a closer eye on your children’s activities. Using this feature, you can, for example, set time limits and break periods, review reported content and accounts, or get an overview of your children’s followers. Private messages are excluded from parental controls.

In early 2023, “Parental Controls” was updated and now offers more options. Parents can now also view their child’s privacy and account settings. If these are changed, parents receive a notification. Additionally, parents can see which accounts their child has blocked.

This feature requires consent from both parties, and parents must also have an Instagram account. You can send your child a request via the “Parental Controls” option in the settings to activate parental controls. It can be turned off at any time and ends automatically when your child turns 18.