Instagram is adding PG-13 content filters to all teen accounts globally

Instagram is improving its parental controls. The app will now treat teen accounts like a PG-13 movie, automatically filtering out mature or risky content for anyone under 18. This means teens will no longer see posts, videos or search results that fall outside the PG-13 “movie-style” zone, unless their parents agree to a more flexible setting.

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How Instagram’s new age filter protects teens

This update places all users under the age of 18 in 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 teens might see in a PG-13 movie. Although some mild language or harsh humor may still appear, the company promises to keep these instances rare. The goal is to make scrolling less risky and more age appropriate.

New, stricter situation for parents

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

What Instagram filters now prohibit PG-13

Instagram’s new protections will automatically:

• Prevent teens from following or messaging accounts that post adult or inappropriate content.
• You can block search results for topics like alcohol, blood, or serious stunts, even if there are misspellings.
• Hide adult content from exploration recommendations, reels and stories.
• Block links to adult material sent via direct messages.

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

How parents helped shape Instagram’s changes

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

How to update Instagram parental controls on iPhone and Android

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

Steps to update Instagram on iPhone

• Open App Store on your iPhone, then tap Profile icon In the upper right corner.
• Scroll down to see the list Updates availableThen you find Instagram And click “to update”.
• If you don’t see Instagram in the list, the app is already up to date.

Steps to update Instagram on Android

Settings may vary depending on the manufacturer of your Android phone.

• Open Google Play Store And click your Profile icon In the upper right corner.
• He chooses “App and device management,Then press “Available updates”.
• finds Instagram in the list and then press “to update” Next to him.
• If Instagram doesn’t appear, your app is already running the latest version.

Updating Instagram on both devices ensures that all settings and parental controls are working properly and provides new moderation features. Note: Instagram app updates often include changes to settings and parental controls, so it’s important to update both accounts for the best supervision experience.

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Safety tips for parents on Instagram

Keeping your teen safe online starts with knowing where to look in an app. Here are simple steps every parent can take now to set boundaries and make their teens safer on Instagram.

1) Make every social account private

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

2) Review your teen’s Instagram security settings

• Open your teen’s Instagram app and tap on it Profile icon In the lower right corner.
• After that, press Three lines At the top right and choose Settings and privacy.
• He chooses Supervision/Family Centerthen press Content settings.

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

If you prefer tighter controls, switch to Limited content. Both options appear below “Content settings” Your teen will need your approval to make major changes once supervision is in place.

3) Activate Instagram’s parental supervision tools

In the same breath Settings & Privacy → Moderation / Family Center section, you can invite your teen to link accounts.
Once both parties agree, you will be able to:

• Set daily time limits Or schedule quiet hours.
• See who follows them and who follows them.
• Review your privacy and security settings Like who can message them or tag them.
• Approve or reject changes Your teen requests that restrictions be eased.

Instagram doesn’t allow parents to read direct messages, and as of November 2025, moderation will no longer extend to a teen’s profile. However, you can view activity summaries, confirm account-level security options, and get notifications about changes your teen makes.

4) Use Apple Screen Time or Google Family Link

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

• On iPhone: Go to Settings → Screen time
• On Android: Download Google Family Link From Play Store

5) Clean up their digital footprint

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

While no service can guarantee complete removal of your data from the Internet, a data removal service is truly a smart choice. It’s not cheap, and neither is your privacy. These services do all the work for you by systematically monitoring and scraping your personal information from hundreds of websites. This gives me peace of mind and has proven to be the most effective way to clear your personal data from the Internet. By limiting the information available, you reduce the risk of fraudsters cross-referencing data from breaches to information they might find on the dark web, making it harder for them to target you.

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6) Understand Instagram’s age protections

Teenagers under 16 automatically receive the strictest protections. Their content settings cannot be relaxed without parental consent. Ages 16-17 default to PG-13 but can request changes approved by parents through the Family Center. These new rules are designed to make Instagram appear to be a PG-13 rated environment for minors.

7) Keep phones out of bedrooms at night

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

8) Talk openly with your teens

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

9) Report and report content to Instagram

If you come across a post that seems inappropriate for teens, tap Three points In the upper right corner of the post and select a report. He chooses Another thingThen follow Demands To explain why it was hidden from teenagers’ accounts. Instagram reviews these reports and will let you know what action it takes.

When Instagram’s new PG-13 limits roll out

Instagram says these updates have already begun rolling out to teen accounts in the US, UK, Australia and Canada. The company plans to complete the rollout by the end of the year, with global expansion following shortly after. Meta also plans to provide similar protections for teen Facebook accounts next year.

What does this mean for you?

This update represents one of Instagram’s biggest safety steps yet. Thanks to Hollywood-style content ratings, new parental controls, and stronger AI filters, teens are having a safer online experience by default. However, no filter can capture everything, which is why parental involvement remains the most powerful safety tool.

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Key takeaways for Kurt

Instagram’s new PG-13 rules could change how all social media platforms approach teen safety. By using a movie-style rating system, Instagram makes it easier for parents to understand what their children might be watching online. It’s a bold move that attempts to strike a balance between giving teens the freedom to explore and protecting them from the dark side of the internet.

Do you think social media should adopt movie-style ratings, or is Instagram going too far with PG-13? Let us know by writing to us at CyberGuy.com

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