Online Safety – What Parents & Educators Need to Know about Instagram

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.