This social media platform releases an updated guide for parents to understand their teens' social media usage and to help them navigate the platform safely.
According to a recent survey by Pew Research, Instagram is third, along with Snapchat, in the top 3 list of the 2022 teen online landscape. It is said to be utilized by 6 out of 10 teens in America.
Recently, the app shared its newest version of Parent's Guide, that offers a complete overview of its various privacy and control features. It also comes with notes and information that will assist parents in how they can provide guidance and support for their kids who are using the app.
Supporting teens and parents
According to Instagram, it collaborated with trusted organizations and experts in creating the Parent's Guide, all because they know how this can significantly support the teens using the app and their parents who might be worrying about their kid's safety in using it.
"Supporting teens and their parents is one of our most important priorities. We've taken steps over the past several years to increase safety and protection for young people on Instagram," Instagram expressed.
Thus, the latest Parent's Guide comprises features that will make parents secure and comfortable using the platform with their children.
1. Safety Features
Parents can discover features that can help their teens explore the app safely.
2. Glossary of Instagram Terms
Get to know the app's features and settings through Instagram Terms. This will allow parents to navigate Instagram better with their teens.
3. Conversation Starters
This is a list of questions to ask their teens to ensure that their experience with the app is positive for their well-being and behavior.
4. Meta Family Center
This assists parents in supervising their teens' activities, time spent, their following and followers list, and reports they submit to the app. They can send requests to initiate supervision to build "positive online habits together." Parents, guardians, and teens can send requests to initiate supervision to help develop positive online habits together. Moreover, parents can set daily time limits or schedule breaks for their teens so they do not spend all their time using the app.
They also offer the Education Hub for Parents, where expert-backed articles, guides, and tips are provided for parents to support their teen's online experiences.
5. Tips for Parents
This consists of tools and resources that can aid in building a safe online experience for the family. Parents are educated on how and are encouraged to use these tools to manage their teen's account in terms of the settings in privacy, comments, messages, and sensitive content.
It's time for parents to get involved
Instagram further stated that it knew there was a need to update the Parent's Guide because it wanted to inform the parents that it should not make a distinction between their teen's life on social media and their "real lives" because the reality is that these two are not independent of each other but are actually "closely intertwined."
Social Media Today reported that the app released a statement saying that teens use social media apps as a place where they can express themselves, hang out with their circle, explore ideas, whether in fashion, music, or anything under the sun, and a place where they can grow and learn. There will be moments of drama and anxiety, not because of the app or technology usage but because that is how relationships are naturally, whether offline or online. There will also be joy, kindness, compassion, and triumph moments.
Thus, Instagram would want parents to share those moments with their teens - to cheer them on, celebrate their victories, and be beside them when there are heartbreak, confusion, and insecurities.
Instagram's Parent's Guide invites parents to be involved and present with their teens. It's high time!
Related Article: Social Media Monitoring: How To Keep Children Safe Online
