You have to be at least 13 to have Instagram in most countries. A few places set it higher: 14 in South Korea, Quebec, Spain and Florida, and 16 in Australia, according to Instagram's own help centre.
Instagram's minimum age isn't one number worldwide, and that catches families out. Instagram's help centre now lists the places where the bar is higher, and its Teen Accounts change what under-18s can do once they're in. Here's what applies.
The minimum age by region
| Where you live | Minimum age to use Instagram |
|---|---|
| Most countries and states | 13 |
| South Korea | 14 |
| Quebec, Canada | 14 |
| Spain | 14 |
| Florida, USA | 14 |
| Australia | 16 |
Instagram also says that in some regions you may have to confirm your age before you can use, or keep using, the app. So even if you met the minimum when you signed up, you can be asked to prove it later.
Accounts for younger children
There's one legitimate way a child under the minimum can appear on Instagram: a managed account. Instagram says an account representing someone under the minimum age must clearly state in its bio that it's managed by a parent or manager, and the adult must be able to show identification if asked. If a young child has an account that isn't managed by an adult, Instagram deletes it. That's how child models, young athletes and family accounts stay within the rules.
How Instagram checks your age
You might be asked to verify your age to use certain features, or if you try to change your birthday. Instagram's help centre lists three ways to do it: your birthday, photo identification, or a video selfie. For the selfie and ID routes it uses Yoti, an age verification company certified by the Age Check Certification Scheme. The information is used to confirm your age and doesn't appear on your profile or to anyone else.
What Teen Accounts change
Once a teen is on Instagram, Meta puts them into a Teen Account automatically. The protections that come with it:
- Private by default. This applies to every teen under 16, and to teens under 18 when they first sign up. Teens have to accept new followers.
- Parent permission to loosen settings. Under-16s need a parent's permission, through parental supervision, to make any of the built-in protections less strict.
- Time limit reminders. Teens get a notification telling them to leave the app after 60 minutes each day.
- Sleep mode. Notifications are muted between 10 PM and 7 AM, with auto-replies to DMs.
Parents of older teens (16 and up) can also turn on supervision and approve changes to these settings, whatever the teen's age.
Creator features have their own bar
Age isn't the only gate for creators. Instagram's help centre says only users with a public account and at least 1,000 followers can start a Live video. Since Teen Accounts start private, a teen creator has two hurdles before going Live, not one.
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Setting up an account for a teen, step by step
- Check the minimum age where you live using the table above.
- Enter the teen's real birthday so the Teen Account protections apply.
- Set up parental supervision if the teen is under 16 and wants any setting changed.
- Agree the rules on followers and DMs before the account goes anywhere near public.
My verdict
If you're in a 14 or 16 region, the 13 you've heard everywhere doesn't apply to you, so check before you sign up. For everyone else, the real protection is the Teen Account, and it only works with a real birthday. If an older account gets locked during an age check, my guide to recovering a lost Instagram account walks through the options, and reactivating an Instagram account covers the simpler cases.
Frequently asked questions
Can a child under 13 have Instagram?
Not their own account. The minimum is 13 in most places; a younger child can only appear through an account managed by a parent or manager that says so in the bio.
Is the Instagram age limit 16 in Australia?
Yes. Instagram's help centre lists Australia's minimum age as 16.
How does Instagram verify age?
With your birthday, photo identification or a video selfie, using the age verification company Yoti for the ID and selfie routes.
Can a teenager go Live on Instagram?
Only if the account is public and has at least 1,000 followers, which is Instagram's rule for everyone. Teen Accounts start private, so a teen has to clear that first.
Are teen Instagram accounts private?
Yes, by default for every teen under 16, and for under-18s when they sign up. Under-16s need a parent's permission to loosen the settings.
