Instagram has new PG-13 restrictions for teenagers.

The parental restrictions on Instagram are being tightened.  The app will now automatically filter out mature or dangerous information for users under the age of 18, treating teen accounts more like a PG-13 film.  Unless their parents agree of a looser setting, kids will no longer see postings, videos, or search results that are not inside the "movie-style" PG-13 zone.

This update places all users under 18 into a 13+ content setting that blocks sexually suggestive material, graphic images, and adult topics like alcohol or tobacco. Instagram says it wants the platform to feel as safe as what teens might see in a PG-13 film. While some mild language or edgy humor might still appear, the company promises to keep those cases rare. The goal is to make scrolling less risky and much more age-appropriate.

For families who want even tighter boundaries, Instagram is launching a Limited Content setting. This stricter mode removes comments entirely, filters more mature material, and limits what teens can see or post. Starting next year, this mode will even restrict what AI chatbots can say to teens, keeping conversations within PG-13 limits.

Instagram's new protections will automatically:

Even Instagram's AI features will now follow these same PG-13 guidelines, ensuring age-appropriate responses.

Meta says it invited thousands of parents around the world to review real Instagram posts and rate them for age appropriateness. More than 3 million parent ratings helped define the new guidelines. According to Meta, 95% of U.S. parents said the new settings are helpful, and 90% said they make Instagram easier to understand.

To ensure you have the latest Instagram features and parental controls, follow these steps to update the app on iPhone and Android:

Settings might differ depending on your Android phone’s manufacturer.

Keeping Instagram updated on both devices ensures all settings and parental controls function correctly and new supervision features are available. Note: updates to the Instagram app often include changes to settings and parental controls, so it's essential to keep both accounts up to date for the best supervision experience.

Keeping your teen safe online starts with knowing where to look in the app. Here are simple steps every parent can take right now to set boundaries and strengthen their teen's safety on Instagram.

Go to your teen’s Instagram profile, tap the three lines in the upper-right corner, and select Settings and privacy → Account privacy. Turn on Private account so only approved followers can see their posts and stories. This blocks strangers and reduces exposure to unwanted contact.

Instagram now places all users under 18 in a PG-13 content filter by default, automatically limiting sexually suggestive, violent, or other mature material.

If you prefer stricter controls, switch to Limited Content. Both options appear under "Content settings," and your teen will need your approval to make major changes once supervision is linked.

In the same Settings and privacy → Supervision / Family Center section, you can invite your teen to link accounts.
Once both sides agree, you'll be able to:

Instagram doesn't allow parents to read direct messages, and starting November 2025, supervision will no longer extend to a teen's Threads profile. Still, you can view activity summaries, confirm account-level safety options, and get notifications about changes your teen makes.

These tools let you manage device-wide limits, not just Instagram. You can block apps at bedtime, monitor usage, and restrict downloads of new apps.

Teens often don’t realize how much personal information is public. Help them search their name on Google and remove any exposed info from people search sites and data brokers. You can do it manually or use a data removal service to handle it automatically. 

While no service can guarantee the complete removal of your data from the internet, a data removal service is really a smart choice.  They aren’t cheap, and neither is your privacy.  These services do all the work for you by actively monitoring and systematically erasing your personal information from hundreds of websites.  It’s what gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to erase your personal data from the internet.  By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of scammers cross-referencing data from breaches with information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.

Teens under 16 automatically receive the strictest protections. Their content settings can't be loosened without parental consent. Ages 16-17 default to PG-13 filtering but can request changes that parents approve through the Family Center. These new rules are designed to make Instagram feel more like a PG-13-rated environment for minors.

Late-night scrolling can lead to sleep loss and unsupervised interactions. Set a family rule to charge phones in a common area before bedtime. It improves rest and reduces exposure to potentially harmful content.

Start a conversation with your teen about what they see online. Ask what kind of content shows up in their feed and how it makes them feel. Explain that they can come to you if they ever see something uncomfortable or confusing. Open communication helps them make smarter choices and builds trust. 

If you come across a post that feels inappropriate for teens, tap the three dots in the upper right corner of the post and select Report. Choose Something else, then follow the prompts to explain why it should be hidden from teen accounts. Instagram reviews these reports and will let you know what action they take.

Instagram says these updates are already starting to roll out to teen accounts in the U.S., U.K., Australia, and Canada. The company plans to complete the rollout by the end of the year, with global expansion coming soon after. Meta also plans to bring similar protections to Facebook teen accounts next year.

This update represents one of Instagram's biggest safety moves yet. With Hollywood-style content ratings, new parental controls, and stronger AI filters, teens are getting a safer online experience by default. Still, no filter can catch everything, which is why parent involvement remains the most powerful safety tool.

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The way all social media companies approach teen safety may alter as a result of Instagram's new PG-13 guidelines.  Instagram's movie-style rating system helps parents better understand what their children may see online.  The daring move aims to balance safeguarding kids from the negative aspects of the internet with allowing them the opportunity to explore.