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Instagram

Family Center, message limits and Hidden Words.

⏱ Takes about 5 minutes

Why bother?

Instagram pushes Reels designed to keep teens scrolling for hours. Strangers can DM your kid by default. Family Center lets you see who they follow and limit DMs.

Open Family Center →

Do this, in order

  1. 1

    On YOUR phone, open Instagram

    Tap your profile picture, then the ☰ menu, then Family Center.
  2. 2

    Tap Invite

    Send the invite link to your teen via text or WhatsApp.
  3. 3

    On their phone, they tap the link and accept

    Now you'll see who they follow, how much time they spend, and any reports they make.
  4. 4

    On THEIR phone, open Settings → Messages and story replies

    Tap Message Controls.
  5. 5

    Set "Others on Instagram" to Don't receive requests

    Strangers can no longer DM them.
  6. 6

    Go back, tap Hidden Words

    Turn on Hide message requests AND Hide comments.
  7. 7

    Tap Manage custom words

    Add words you want auto-hidden (sexual stuff, slurs, drug names).
  8. 8

    Settings → Privacy → switch account to Private

    Only followers they approve can see their posts.
  9. 9

    Sensitive Content Control → Less

    Settings → Suggested content → set to Less.

You did it. 🎉

Tell your kid you set this up, and why. It works way better when it's not a secret.