App dossier · Social
Developer: Instagram, Inc.
- US App Store rating13+
- Google Play ratingTeen
Photos, Reels, Stories and direct messages in one app. A teen may use it for friends, creator updates, fandom edits or a secondary account. Teen Accounts add restrictions, but the audience on each account and the content in each feed still deserve attention.
Official store icon identified from the store listing artwork (opens in new tab). Icon is shown to identify the app; trademark belongs to Instagram, Inc..
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The essentials
Age, contact, spending
Minimum age
Generally 13+, subject to local requirements. Teen Account restrictions are distinct from the App Store’s content rating.
Age check
A birthdate and Meta’s age-assurance processes help determine account settings. Additional verification may be required for certain age changes or features.
Who can contact teens
Teen Accounts use stricter messaging settings so contacts are limited to people followed or already connected. Parents can review recent messaging contacts through supervision, not read message contents.
Disappearing content
Stories normally leave the active story after 24 hours unless saved as highlights. Screenshots, archives and shared copies can outlast the original.
Public content
Teen Account privacy defaults depend on age and signup history. Under-16s need parental permission to loosen protected settings; do not assume all existing older-teen accounts are private.
Spending
Creator subscriptions, shopping links and branded posts can turn scrolling into purchases. Advertising and affiliate recommendations are not independent advice.
Store stats
By the numbers
US App Store
4.69 stars from 29,570,473 ratings, as of October 8, 2026. Apple listing (opens in new tab)
Google Play downloads
5B+ as of October 8, 2026. Google Play listing (opens in new tab)
Official controls
How to set them up
Use Teen Accounts and supervision
Open Instagram’s Settings and activity and find Family Center or Supervision. Link accounts with the teen’s participation; review time limits, scheduled breaks and requests to relax protections.
Official instructions → (opens in new tab)
Privacy
What gets shared
Check each account’s followers, tags, mentions, location disclosures and contact syncing. A finsta needs its own privacy review.
Safety
What parents should know
- Meta’s official explanation says under-16s need parent approval for less protective Teen Account settings.
- Supervision shows certain activity and contacts, not private message contents. Pair the settings with conversations about screenshots and unwanted contact.
Safeguards described here are reported by the company in its own materials (see Instagram: official safety, eligibility or parent guidance (opens in new tab)). They are not independent safety guarantees, and Lowkey has not tested them.
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Slang you will hear
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