What Parents & Educators Need to Know about Instagram
WHAT ARE THE RISKS?
- Excessive Screen Time: Instagram can be addictive. Users often spend hours scrolling through their feeds or watching stories.
- AI Chatbot Concerns: Some users have reported inappropriate interactions with AI chatbots on the platform.
- Risks of Going Live: Live streaming can expose children to real-time interactions with strangers.
- Threads Integration: Threads is a companion app that allows users to share more personal content with close friends.
- Scheduled Messaging: Users can schedule messages to be sent at specific times, which could be misused.
- Exclusion and Low Self-Worth: Seeing others’ highlight reels can lead to feelings of exclusion and low self-worth.
Advice For Parents & Educators:
- Use Instagram’s Supervision Tools: Set up parental controls and monitor your child’s activity on the platform.
- Set Boundaries for Threads and AI: Discuss appropriate use of Threads and interactions with AI chatbots.
- Be Media-Savvy with Your Children: Teach them how to critically evaluate what they see online.
