How to set up Instagram supervision: Meta Family Center for parents
Invite your teen into Instagram supervision for time limits, sleep mode and follower visibility — without reading their private messages.
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Verified: Last checked on 5 October 2026 against Instagram/Meta supervision help. Teens 13–17, parents 18+, mutual consent required. Parents cannot read DM contents. Checked against written help, not the live app.
⏱ Time: 10–20 minutes | 🔧 Difficulty: Easy
What you'll need
- Your Instagram account (18+) and your teen's (13–17)
- Updated Instagram app (parent may use browser / Family Center)
- Teen available to accept within 7 days
Step-by-step
- Open Family Center / supervision in Instagram settings or at familycenter.meta.com/supervision.
- Send or accept the invite. Only one parent can supervise each teen account.
[Screenshot: supervision invite] - Set time tools: daily limits and sleep mode; review time spent.
- Review people: followers, following and blocked accounts; check privacy/messaging overviews.
[Screenshot: supervision dashboard] - Harden privacy together: private account, tighter messaging, Restrict/Block/Report, plus phone Screen Time.
- Test that limits apply and that DMs remain private from the parent view.
⚠️ Watch out
- Supervision is not a message reader.
- Secret second accounts aren't covered.
- Invites expire after 7 days.
- Report serious concerns to Instagram and CEOP.
Related guides
- TikTok Family Pairing [link to add]
- Snapchat Family Centre [link to add]
- WhatsApp privacy settings [link to add]
- iPhone & iPad Screen Time [link to add]
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Spotted a change? If Family Center looks different, tell us your phone type.
Sources (checked 5 Oct 2026): About supervision · Set up teen supervision · Family Center supervision