In a landmark change to its parental controls, Instagram will now mandate a parent’s explicit sign-off before a teenager can access a less restricted version of the platform. This new rule is the cornerstone of the company’s new PG-13 inspired safety framework.
The system will default all users under 18 to a “13+” setting with stronger content filters. While teens can request to have these filters relaxed, the request will now trigger a formal approval process involving their parent or guardian.
This “parental sign-off” mechanism is designed to close a loop that previously allowed teens to adjust their own settings without oversight. It forces a moment of communication and gives parents the final say, transforming them from passive observers into active participants in their child’s digital safety.
This move to mandate parental involvement is a direct response to findings that optional controls were not being used effectively and that teens were still being exposed to harm. It shifts the platform’s architecture to be more aligned with family-centric safety models.
While this new power is a welcome addition for many parents, its effectiveness will depend on families linking their accounts and parents engaging with the approval requests. The success of this sign-off system will be a key metric as the new feature is rolled out globally.
