By Ray & Renie Robinson, Aunty Bea · Updated June 2026
Instagram is banned for under-16s in Australia. It is on the restricted list under
the under-16 social media ban
that came into effect on 10 December 2025. That means Instagram is required to take reasonable steps to
prevent children under 16 from holding accounts.
In practice, determined teenagers can still get around it — VPNs, borrowed accounts, adjusted birth dates.
The ban is meaningful. It is not a wall. And it does not make the conversation about Instagram less necessary.
If anything, it makes it more so.
Why Instagram pulls so hard
Instagram is built around identity, appearance and social comparison. The follower count, the like, the
perfectly-lit photo — all of it is designed to keep users engaged by making them care about how they are
perceived. For a teenager whose brain is still working out who they are, this is powerful, and not always
in a good way.
Internal Meta research, leaked in 2021, showed the company's own data linking Instagram use to body image
issues and depression in teenage girls. That research led to some product changes, but the fundamental
mechanics — image-first, follower-metric, socially comparative — remain the same.
The real risks, honestly
Social comparison and body image. Instagram's visual format and culture of curated,
filtered photos create a steady stream of comparison. For adolescents, especially girls, this is linked
to lower self-esteem and increased anxiety. It is not just about what they post — it is about what they see.
Direct Messages from strangers. Even on a private account, anyone can send a message
request. Predatory contact often starts this way — a compliment, a common interest, a gradual escalation.
Children may not recognise the pattern until trust has been established.
The Explore and Reels algorithms. Instagram's algorithm is tuned for engagement. It can
funnel users into content loops around extreme dieting, self-harm aesthetics or harmful ideologies — each
piece of content individually minor, the cumulative effect not.
Screenshot culture and permanence. Instagram Stories disappear, but screenshots don't.
A photo or message can outlast the moment it was intended for and spread far beyond its original audience.
Follower anxiety and validation loops. The metrics of Instagram — followers, likes, views —
can become a measure of self-worth. A post that underperforms can feel like a personal rejection. This is
especially pronounced in early adolescence.
If your child is struggling
If your child is showing signs of distress — low mood, withdrawal, fixation on appearance, or secretiveness
about their phone — it is worth a direct, non-accusatory conversation. If they need someone outside the family
to talk to, Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800 is free and available 24/7.
Instagram Teen Accounts — what it is and isn't
Meta's own Teen Accounts system (launched 2024–25) enables default private accounts, restricted DMs,
content filters and screen time reminders for users aged 13–17. It is a meaningful step from Meta.
The weak point is that it requires an honest date of birth at sign-up — which is trivially bypassed — and
it only applies to accounts created after the feature launched.
What you can do
Start with a conversation, not a ban. If your child already uses Instagram, an immediate
prohibition often drives it underground. Ask them to show you their account. Curiosity lands better than a raid.
Check their account is private. A private account means follower requests require approval.
This does not stop DM requests, but it reduces exposure on the Explore page.
Review message requests together. Go to Settings → Privacy → Messages and set DMs
to only come from people they follow. Review any unread message requests together.
Use screen time limits. iOS Screen Time and Android Family Link can set daily limits on
Instagram specifically. Even a one-hour limit changes the dynamic. Our guide on
screen time limits vs content filtering explains
how the two tools work together.
Talk about the algorithm. Teaching your child that Instagram is designed to make them feel
like they want to keep scrolling — and that the curated photos they see are not representative of real life —
is some of the most useful media literacy work a parent can do.
If group chats and DMs across multiple apps are part of the picture, our guide on
whether WhatsApp is safe for kids covers the messaging
side specifically. For YouTube's algorithm and content risks, see
whether YouTube is safe for kids. And because Instagram's
DMs are a known vector for image-based coercion, our guide on
sextortion is worth reading if your
child is active on the platform — it covers warning signs and exactly what to do if it happens.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Instagram is on Australia's restricted list under the under-16 social media ban that came into effect in December 2025.
Determined teenagers can bypass age checks using VPNs, borrowed accounts, or adjusted birth dates. The ban reduces access, but it does not eliminate it.
Instagram Teen Accounts is Meta's own protection system for users aged 13-17. It enables default private accounts, restricted DMs, content filters and screen time reminders. It requires an honest age at sign-up, which is the weak point.
Research — including internal Meta research — has shown links between Instagram use and body image issues, anxiety and depression in teenage girls. The platform's image-first format and follower metrics amplify social comparison.
Instagram DMs allow strangers to message your child's account. Even on private accounts, anyone can send a message request. This is a common vector for grooming and unsolicited contact.
Start with a conversation rather than confiscation. Review their account together — check who they follow, who follows them, what their DM requests look like, and whether their account is private.
The ban covers Instagram accounts. The algorithm, the DMs and the comparison culture don't stop.
Aunty Bea helps Australian parents see what their kids are spending time on — without reading their messages.