How to Create an Instagram Account for Your Child and Prevent Strangers from Sending Messages

Instagram can be a fun way for your child to share sports highlights or other activities, but it’s important to set up their account with the right privacy controls so strangers cannot contact them. Below are step-by-step methods to create a child’s account and block unwanted messages.

Step 1: Download and Install Instagram

1. On your child’s phone (or your own if you want to manage the account), open the App Store (iPhone) or Google Play Store (Android).
2. Search for “Instagram” and tap Install or Get.
3. Wait for the app to finish downloading, then open it.

Step 2: Create a New Account

1. Go to Settings, find “Add Account” at the bottom
2. Tap “Create new account.”
3. Enter an email address or phone number that you control (avoid using your child’s personal email or phone).
4. Choose a username that represents the purpose of the account (for example, “Tigress_Hoops” instead of your child’s real name).
5. Set a strong password and write it down somewhere safe.
6. Enter your child’s birthdate. Note: Instagram requires users to be at least 13 years old. If your child is younger, you’ll need to enter a date that meets the minimum age.

Step 3: Make the Account Private

1. After setup, go to your child’s profile by tapping the bottom-right profile icon.
2. Tap the three lines in the top-right corner, then select Settings and Privacy.
3. Find “Account Privacy” and switch “Private Account” on. This ensures only approved followers can see posts or stories.

Step 4: Restrict Direct Messages (DMs)

1. In Settings and Privacy, tap “Messages and Story Replies.”
2. Under “Who Can Message You,” choose “People You Follow” or “No One” for message requests.
3. Under “Who Can Add You to Groups,” choose “Only People You Follow.”
4. Under “Allow Message Requests,” turn it off for “Others on Instagram.” This blocks strangers from sending message requests.

Step 5: Disable Message Replies to Stories

1. In “Messages and Story Replies,” find the “Story Replies” section.
2. Change the setting to “People You Follow” or “Off” so strangers can’t reply to stories.

Step 6: Manage Followers

1. From your child’s profile, tap “Followers.”
2. Review the list often and remove anyone you don’t recognize by tapping Remove.
3. Block suspicious accounts by going to their profile, tapping the three dots in the corner, and selecting “Block.”

Step 7: Enable Supervision (Optional but Recommended)

1. Instagram offers parental supervision features through the Family Center.
2. On your phone, download Instagram, go to Settings and Privacy > Supervision.
3. Invite your child’s account to be supervised. Once accepted, you can manage time limits, see who they follow, and get activity reports.

Step 8: Regularly Monitor Activity

1. Check the account weekly for new followers, comments, and messages.
2. Remind your child never to accept follow requests from strangers.
3. Encourage your child to report or block anyone who makes them uncomfortable.

Step 9: Turn Off Suggested Accounts (Optional)

1. On Instagram.com (desktop browser), log into your child’s account.
2. Go to “Edit Profile.”
3. Scroll to the bottom and uncheck “Show account suggestions on profiles.” This reduces exposure to random accounts.

Step 10: Teach Your Child Safety Rules

1. Never share personal details like address, school, or phone number.
2. Only post content you’re comfortable with family and friends seeing.
3. Tell an adult right away if a stranger tries to contact them.

About Underage Accounts on Instagram

Instagram’s official minimum age requirement is 13 years old. Children under 13 are not allowed to create an account under their own name. If a parent wants to showcase their child’s sports highlights or other activities before that age, the safer approach is to create and manage the account themselves using their own information. This way, the child is not technically the account owner, and all controls remain in the parent’s hands. Instagram has built-in parental supervision features, but they still expect the primary account holder to be at least 13.