Social media controls and Teen Accounts
Instagram and TikTok both now build real protections into teen accounts, and both give parents proper supervision tools. Here is what is already on by default, what you can add, and how to set it up.
The short version: both platforms set a minimum age of 13, and both now apply stricter defaults to teen accounts automatically. The supervision tools below only work if the account uses your child's real date of birth, so start there.
Instagram Teen Accounts
Instagram places every under-18 into a Teen Account automatically, including in the UK. The protections below are built in from the start.
What is on by default
- Every account for an under-18 is automatically a Teen Account. There is no separate sign-up.
- Profiles are private by default, so your teen approves every new follower.
- Messaging is set to the strictest level: only people they follow or are already connected to can message them.
- Sensitive content is filtered to an age-appropriate rating, and teens cannot turn this off themselves.
- Sleep mode quietens the app overnight, and a daily 60-minute reminder nudges them to take a break.
- Under-16s need a parent's permission, through supervision, to make any of these settings less strict, and they need permission to go Live.
What supervision adds for parents
- Set a daily time limit that actually blocks the app when it runs out.
- Block Instagram during set times, such as school or bedtime.
- See who your teen has messaged in the past week (but not what was said).
- See their followers, who they follow, and accounts they have recently interacted with.
- Approve or decline any request to loosen their Teen Account settings.
Set Up Instagram Parental Supervision
Link your Instagram account to your teen's through Meta's Family Centre. You will need your own Instagram account.
Steps:
- 1On your teen's phone, open Instagram and go to their profile
- 2Tap the menu (three lines), then 'Settings and activity'
- 3Tap 'Family Centre' and choose to invite a parent or guardian
- 4Send the invitation link to yourself, then open it and accept on your own Instagram account
- 5From Family Centre on your phone, set the daily limit, scheduled breaks and review their settings together
Tip:
Under-16s cannot loosen their Teen Account settings without your approval once supervision is on, so set it up before handing the phone back.
TikTok teen settings and Family Pairing
TikTok applies stricter defaults to younger accounts, and Family Pairing links your account to your teen's so you can manage the important settings from your own phone.
What is on by default
- The minimum age is 13, and accounts for 13 to 15 year olds are private by default.
- Direct messaging is restricted to accounts aged 16 and over.
- Every under-18 account starts with a 60-minute daily screen time limit.
- Under-16s get wind-down prompts in the evening to encourage switching off.
What Family Pairing adds for parents
- Set a daily screen time limit (from 40 minutes) and schedule "time away" periods.
- Get weekly summaries of how long your teen has spent on the app.
- Turn on Restricted Mode and filter out videos with keywords you choose.
- Keep their account private and limit who can comment, mention or duet with them.
- Set quiet hours for notifications, and block specific accounts on their behalf.
Set Up TikTok Family Pairing
Link your TikTok account to your teen's. You will need the app and your own account on your phone.
Steps:
- 1On your phone, open TikTok, go to Profile, tap the menu (three lines), then "Settings and privacy"
- 2Tap "Family Pairing" and choose "Parent"
- 3On your teen's phone, follow the same path and choose "Teen"
- 4Scan the QR code on your phone with your teen's phone to link the accounts
- 5From your phone, set screen time, Restricted Mode, keyword filters and privacy settings
Tip:
Review the settings together rather than imposing them. Teens are far more likely to stick to limits they helped choose.
What these controls cannot do
- They do not let you read your child's messages, on either platform.
- They rely on the account using your child's real date of birth. An account created with a false age, or a second secret account, bypasses them.
- They are not a substitute for talking. The settings buy you safety margins; the conversations build the judgement.
A good next step is agreeing the rules together with a family agreement, and our ages 11-13 guide covers social media readiness in more depth.
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Last reviewed: July 2026. Platform settings change often, so always check the official help pages linked above for the latest.