How To Set Up Instagram Parental Controls (2026 Guide for Parents)

Setting up parental controls on Instagram is straightforward. Just send an invite from your Instagram account. Then you can customize settings, and you're ready to go.

This article provides a step-by-step guide on setting up parental controls on Instagram. I'll also share the best parental controls that can complement Instagram Teen Accounts.

How to turn on Instagram parental controls (step-by-step)

To turn on Instagram parental controls, you need consent from the teen and the parent. Either of them can send the invitation to enable supervision.

Here's how to do it using the Instagram app:

Teen sending a supervision invitation

• Open Instagram.
• Go to your profile.
• Select the three horizontal lines in the upper right corner.
• Scroll down to Family Center and select Supervision for Teen Accounts.

• Click Get started.
• Select your parent from your followers list, or copy and share a link.

Parent sending a supervision invitation

• Open Instagram.
• Go to your profile.
• Select the three horizontal lines in the upper right corner.
• Scroll down to Family Center and select Supervision for Teen Accounts.
• Click Get started.
• Select your teen from your followers list, or copy and share a link to your teen.

The recipient has 48 hours to accept the supervision request. Once the invitation is accepted, parents can take actions like:

• Set a time limit.
• Block Instagram during select hours and days.
• Review time spent on Instagram.
• See who follows your teen and who your teen follows.
• View blocked accounts.
• See settings for account privacy, messaging, and content.

Let's take a look at how to do some of these actions:

Setting up a daily time limit

Instagram will notify your teen if they spend more than one hour a day on the app. But parents can personalize daily time limits:

• Open Instagram.
• Go to your profile.
• Select the three horizontal lines in the upper right corner.
• Scroll down to Family Center and select Supervision for Teen Accounts.
• Tap on the teen's account.
• Select Time management.
• Under Daily Limit, select the time limit you would like instead.
• Tap Save.
• Parents can also choose to send a notification when the time limit is reached or block the teen from using the app after the designated time.

Customizing sleep mode

The sleep mode setting allows parents to mute notifications or block the app entirely during designated times. Instagram will tell teens to close the app from 10 PM to 7 AM, but you can customize these time restrictions:

• Open Instagram.
• Go to your profile.
• Select the three horizontal lines in the upper right corner.
• Scroll down to Family Center and select Supervision for Teen Accounts.
• Tap on the teen's account.
• Choose Time management.
• Below Sleep mode, tap the preset time or day.
• Toggle Sleep mode to turn it on or off.
• Hit Save.
• Parents can choose to send a notification requesting the teen close Instagram or block the teen from using the app during sleep mode.

Reviewing time spent on Instagram

Parents can review the time spent on Instagram over the past 7 days. Instagram shares the average time spent in the past week and the daily usage. Here's how to take a look:

• Open Instagram.
• Go to your profile.
• Select the three horizontal lines in the upper right corner.
• Scroll down to Family Center and select Supervision for Teen Accounts.
• Under Their time spent, you can view how long teens spent on Instagram.

New Instagram safety features and using Teen Accounts

Instagram Teen Accounts can set more restrictions. The limits are designed to protect teens from unwanted contact, exposure to inappropriate content, and excessive time spent on the app.

Anyone aged 13-17 will automatically receive a Teen account. Teens 13-15 will need parental permission to remove teen restrictions. Teens 16-17 have more flexibility. They can have public accounts without permission. However, if parental controls are enabled, they will need the parent's permission to go public.

Teens will need a parent's permission to make any changes to the default settings. Some of the Teen Account settings include:

• Accounts are set to private.
• Teens can contact only those people they are following or have previously contacted.
• Images containing nudity are blurred.
• Tags and mentions are allowed only for those people they are following.
• Potentially offensive comments and message requests are hidden.
• Content setting is set to 13+.
• Sleep mode is enabled from 10 PM to 7 AM.
• Reminders are set to close the app after an hour of use.

Once a teen turns 18, supervision is automatically removed.

Instagram is frequently adding new safety features for teens. In February 2026, Instagram announced that it would alert parents if a teen is searching for terms related to self-harm.[1] It's part of a continuing process to introduce age-based content restrictions.

Best third-party parental controls for Instagram

You may prefer third-party parental controls for your teen's phone rather than relying on a single app. It can make it easier to manage not just Instagram, but every app on your teen's phone. Some of the best parental controls to consider include Aura, Qustodio, and Bark.

Aura lets you add parental controls to gaming communication apps like Discord. Qustodio sends timely alerts for web searches, app and web activity, and screen time. Bark enables you to review text messages for trigger issues like self-harm, bullying, and more.

Bottom line: Is Instagram safe for teens?

No online platform can guarantee that your child is 100% safe. However, parents can take the necessary precautions. In addition to using parental controls for teens, you should also have conversations with them about safe online behavior. This can help them develop digital responsibility and avoid risky online situations.

FAQs