Instagram is a mobile photo and video-sharing social network aimed at teens who are 13+. Users upload pictures and short videos using the Instagram app and share them with the public. According to recent statistics, over 11 million of Instagram’s users are 17 years old or younger and that number is growing rapidly, making Instagram privacy a priority for parents.

Users can Add Followers on Instagram and follow other people’s Instagram feeds to view their photos, as well as Like, Comment, and hashtag images and videos. Additionally, Instagram can cross-post your content to other sites like Facebook or Twitter and tag pictures with their location. Parents of Instagram users should understand how to help protect their kids’ privacy on this popular social media platform.

Instagram Privacy for Parents

• A public Instagram profile can be browsed and followed by any of the 300 million Instagram users. A private account means that the user must approve anyone who wants to follow or view their photos. Ensure that your child has a private account (Android example)

Go to their profile by tapping 
Tap  for OptionsUnder Account, slide right to turn on the Private Account setting

• Make sure your kids don’t use their real names as their username or provide their phone number on their profile.
• Ensure that your child selects an appropriate profile photo – decide if it’s best to avoid using an actual photo and that there are no identifying geographical markers (for example, your house is in the background or your child is wearing their school uniform). 
• Talk to your kids about not accepting strangers as Followers on Instagram as that would give them access to your kids' photos, videos and personal information.
• Make sure that your child's Instagram is not automatically cross-posting to other social media sites by going to Options 

Under settings tap Linked AccountsUnder Linked Accounts see if anything is checked. To remove any existing cross-linked accounts and ensure Instagram privacy, click on the checked item:Then select Unlink.

• When a user posts a picture to Instagram, they have the option to “Add to Photo Map” which would provide the precise location of the photograph. Make sure your child does not use the “Add to Photo Map” feature. 
• If there are already photos tagged in the photomap on your child’s account you would like to remove:

1. Go into their profile and select the Photo Map icon 2. Select the photo or group of photos to remove and select Edit3. Select the photos to remove then Done and Confirm. Remaining vigilant about social media use involves regularly speaking to your kids about online safety, their online interactions, and the possible risks involved. This Instagram privacy checklist can help educate parents about protecting their kids’ privacy on this photo sharing site. As kids under seventeen continue to use Instagram and its popularity grows, it will be up to parents to guide their kids and optimize their Instagram privacy settings.