Nowadays, by developing the technology, social media developed too, and the use them are viral.

These social apps are so helpful for all people and businesses. By the statistics, there are many users in these apps and are active daily and monthly.

But like every technology, social media, in addition to the benefits, also has disadvantages.

One of these social apps is Instagram that has extraordinary popularity among users all around the world.

Because of its high usage and attractive platform, Instagram is interested in all ages, from adults to children.

So it can be so harmful to some ages and affect badly on them.

By the research, it can be said that more than half of 11- and 12-year-olds youngs, like other six-year-old children, use social media such as Instagram.

The restriction on those aged 13 and up, as well as other fabrications

Now there are two critical questions:

Is Instagram using correct for children lower than 13 years old?
Why should we feel guilty about that?

Lets to talk about these questions together.

As you may hear, most of the most prominent social networking sites and social apps have a similar age limit: 13 and up.

And for those who don’t, “parental permission” is all that’s required to gain access at the age of 13.

It’s also not true that the creators of all social apps reach the same conclusion about internet security.

In truth, the 13+ age limitation stems from COPPA, or the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998, a 22-year-old US legislation.

It was declared illegal to acquire or process personal data on children under 13 under that law.

Social networking sites acquire and preserve personal information about the user. So they had to prohibit under-13s – at least publicly – to follow the rules.

You might also be shocked to know that most social media platforms in Europe have an age restriction of 16.

That’s required to conform to the General Data Protection Regulation Act of 2018, or GDPR, which is considerably tighter and much more modern European Union legislation.

Neither COPPA nor GDPR is in effect (although there have been calls for similar child-privacy protection legislation here).

What are the messages we’re sending by letting them enter the social apps under 13?

If we encourage our kids it’s alright to create an account before they’re thirteen, we’re delivering them a tremendous signal that it’s acceptable to breach the rules, and that’s a hard moral stance to return from.

Although legally, it isn’t really “violating the law” because it is only disobeying an advisory limitation, the signal we are sending to our children is essentially the same: “You can make your laws online.” And it’s a dangerous precedent to set.

Children, many families are perplexed, many parents feel alone, pushed, and out of their element.

As a result, a structure designed to protect our children while also educating our parents fails to do so.

The critical problem is a child’s mental capacity, not their actual age. Almost every specialist in the area believes in this point.

It’s hard to establish an exact age restriction because kids require behavioral–emotional abilities to meet the challenges of media platforms.

For some children, this is 13 years, and for other kids, it may be 15 years.

To continue, we will explain to you the ways that you can do in relation with the Instagram and your child:

Make sure your child understands the rules.

Indeed you cannot influence what other people post on Instagram, but you can talk to your children about what they are allowed to see.

Make sure your child understands why you’ve set your rules; if they understand why you’ve made them, they’ll be more likely to follow them.

The following are some things to think about when drafting rules:

Guidelines about what images and videos children are allowed to watch and what they are not allowed to see are known as content rules (e.g., prohibiting adult images or videos)
Time limits – Limits on how much time children are permitted to use their devices during specific periods (e.g., stop using devices an hour before bedtime)
Rules for where and when kids can use mobile apps (context rules) (e.g., in the car, at family meals)

Adjust Instagram’s settings

Instagram provides options for safeguarding your child’s security on the platform.

It’s a great idea to use the application’s privacy and security settings to reap the benefits of these capabilities.

Create a private Instagram account for your child.

By definition, everyone may see whatever their children publish on Instagram.

Switching Instagram’s settings to keep their account private is a simple approach to minimize your child’s access to outsiders.

Personal accounts can only be seen with the profile people’s permission.

That says anyone who wishes to ‘follow’ your children and see their Instagram feed must be approved by your child (or you).

To make your child’s Instagram profile private, follow these steps:

Access your child’s Instagram account by clicking the person sign in the lower right corner of their screen.
Touch the settings symbol in the upper right corner (a cog on iOS or three dots on Android).
Assure “Private Account” is turned on under “Account.”

Unauthorized visitors and viewers can’t see your children’s Instagram photographs or videos if they have a personal account.

Unapproved people, on the other hand, can still send a picture or video to your child.

Check out our tips on how to keep an eye on your child’s Instagram messages in the section below:

Don’t let your child share the location.
Keep an eye on your child’s activity.
Personal information should be kept secret.
Unknown or abusive followers are blocked.
Remove all of the photo tags.
Remove photos from your computer.
Third-party application permission should be revoked.
Improper Behavior should be reported.
Images, videos, and inappropriate remarks.
Discrimination and abuse are two types of abuse.

Summary, so, what’s the best way to make a decision?

According to the Department of the e-Safety Commissioner, family zone cyber experts suggest parents consider the following considerations before permitting any under-age kid to register a social media profile:

Is your child capable of coping with negative internet encounters such as online bullying, drama, or abuse?
Are they aware of the importance of internet privacy and how to safeguard it?
Are they aware of how to publish and share securely?
Are they aware of how to report cyberbullying?
Are they okay with you establishing rules and expectations, as well as monitoring usage?
Have you discussed pornographic material with them?
Have you discussed racism and other types of hateful internet speech with them?
Have you offered good online coaching and role modeling, as well as device use in general?

If you feel that your child is able for a social media following after much thought and debate, you must agree on the following:

What kind of content they’re authorized to share.
When should they publish?
How frequently do you want them to monitor social networks?
How to respond to strangers’ pleas and communications.
How to customize your privacy settings.

Conclusion

Instagram may be a tremendous and entertainment tool to use with children.

Nevertheless, because the program is designed for people aged 13 and up, allowing younger kids to use may expose them to photographs and videos they aren’t old enough to comprehend.

The app may also apply to this case that is unsuitable for smaller kids and security problems.

Even if your child is older than 13, parents should watch Instagram users protect their safety.

Maintain open channels of contact with your child so that they feel comfortable sharing any difficulties raised by the app.

For more information, visit Instagram’s Privacy and Safety Center.

Aloman

Hi, I’m Alomen; an Instagram and digital marketing expert. This Website shows tutorials, tips, and tricks on how to use Instagram. If you have any questions or problems with Instagram, you can call me with the hashtag #Alomen and I will answer in now time. Sign up for our email newsletter to stay in touch with our Team.