Instagram is a popular photo and video sharing social networking site. But this raises some concerns for keeping children safe. Instagram is an app that people use to post pictures and videos taken via a smartphone to the person’s Instagram page. The pictures can be of anything, some are beautiful but others can depict violence, drug, sexual pictures and videos and the like. Of course, users can post messages next to the picture too.
Furthermore, while it can be easy for kids to assume that more followers and likes means that they are more popular and a good account to follow, things may not be as it appears. You may not know what the Instagrammer has done to earn the followers. It is possible that the followers and likes were purchased and give a false impression of the Instagrammer’s popularity. That’s right, some even buy Instagram Followers & Likes.
The social network has north of over 600 million monthly users. This includes millions upon millions of teens and tweens. People use the service to get around parental limitations on other sites. Really, Instagram has become similar to all other social networking sites and websites generally.
Fortunately, Instagram provides several ways to keep your child safe. Here are three ways.
Safety in Numbers: Teach your kids to share if any of their friends or someone they know is under 13.
Once again you should show your child how to discuss unacceptable behavior to you. This includes rule-breaking behavior or others. Of course, Instagram has a page to help you report children under age 13 on Instagram.
“Instagram requires everyone to be at least 13 years old before they can create an account (in some jurisdictions, this age limit may be higher). If your child is younger than 13 and created an account on Instagram, you can show them how to delete their account.
If you’d like to report an account belonging to someone under 13 or if you believe someone is impersonating your child who’s under 13, please fill out this form. In order to delete a child’s account, we’ll need to verify that the child is under 13.”
Instruct kids to tell you if an unauthorized picture of themselves appears on Instagram.
This is very important. Some kids know no boundaries. A child, in jest, may take a picture of a kid and post it on the social networking site. This may make the child in question feel ashamed. Some commit themselves to escape the shame. Do not let that happen to your child. Here is what Instagram says to do if the worst happens.
“Instagram requires everyone to be at least 13 years old before they can create an account (in some jurisdictions, this age limit may be higher). If your child is younger than 13 and created an account on Instagram, you can show them how to delete their account.
If you’d like to report an account belonging to someone under 13 or if you believe someone is impersonating your child who’s under 13, please fill out this form. In order to delete a child’s account, we’ll need to verify that the child is under 13.”
Report abusive behavior or inappropriate/offensive material.
As a follow-up, Instagram provides additional information regarding how to take down offensive material.
“We ask that all people follow our Community Guidelines and Terms of Use. If your teen encounters someone on Instagram who’s not following these guidelines or Terms, they can report that person’s posts directly from Instagram.
People can report abusive behavior or posts with our built-in reporting. This includes nude photos, abuse and excessive spam. Reporting is totally anonymous. No information about the reporter is sent to the person whose account or photo has been reported.”
Follow Instagram’s advice and you can teach your kids to be safe on the social network.
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