You have to be at least 13 to use Instagram in most countries, but as of October 2026 Instagram's own Help Centre lists higher minimums in five places: 14 in South Korea, Quebec, Spain and Florida, and 16 in Australia. An account for someone younger is only allowed if a parent or manager runs it and says so in the bio.
That's the short version. The rest of this page covers the details that trip people up: why Instagram asks a brand account for a date of birth, what happens to an account it thinks belongs to a child, and how the appeal works if it gets your age wrong.
Instagram's minimum age, region by region
Instagram's Terms of Use set the floor: you must be at least 13 years old or the minimum legal age in your country to use Instagram. The Help Centre page on reporting under-age users then names the places where that age is higher. Here's the list as of October 2026:
| Where you live | Minimum age to use Instagram |
|---|---|
| Most countries and states | 13 |
| South Korea | 14 |
| Quebec, Canada | 14 |
| Spain | 14 |
| Florida, US | 14 |
| Australia | 16 |
Look closely at that list. Florida is a US state and Quebec is a Canadian province, so the rest of the US and the rest of Canada sit at 13. Instagram also says that in some regions you may be required to confirm your age before you can use, or carry on using, the app.
The catch: this is Instagram's own list, and it can change when local laws do. If your country or state is bringing in new rules on children and social media, check the Help Centre page for your region before you rely on the table above.
Why a brand or pet account still needs a birthday
This is the bit business owners don't expect. When you set up an account for your shop, your dog or your hobby, Instagram still asks for a date of birth. Its Help Centre says that's deliberate: it asks everyone, whatever the account represents, to help make sure under-age people aren't using the app.
Two things are worth knowing. First, the birthday isn't shown on your profile, even if the account is public. You can choose to let Instagram tell people when it's your birthday, but that's your call. Second, the date you enter shapes the account's defaults. When someone under 16, or under 18 in certain countries, signs up, Instagram sets the account to Private by default.
So if you're the person setting up your company's account, use your own real date of birth. The Terms say you can't impersonate others or provide inaccurate information, and you must keep your registration details accurate and up to date.
Accounts run for children under the minimum age
There's one route for a child under the minimum age to appear on Instagram with their own account: an adult runs it. Instagram's rule is specific:
- The account's bio has to state clearly that it's managed by a parent or manager.
- If Instagram asks, you have to provide identification proving an adult runs it.
- If a child under the minimum age in your region has an account that isn't managed by a parent or manager, Instagram deletes it.
Instagram's reporting page adds that it will delete an account if it can't verify that it's managed by someone old enough to use Instagram. The Terms also say you can't create an account for someone else unless you have their express permission. For an agency or brand working with young talent, that means the parent or manager should be the one who sets up and runs the account, with the bio line in place from day one.
When Instagram decides you're too young
If Instagram reviews an account and decides the account holder is under 13, or someone adds a date of birth that makes them under 13, they'll see a message that says You're not old enough to use Instagram, and the account will be removed. The Help Centre says you can appeal if you disagree. Here's how:
- Tap Appeal at the bottom of the message.
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
- Submit a valid ID.
- Wait while Instagram reviews your date of birth, which may take up to 30 days.
- If Instagram finds it made a mistake, it'll let you know and restore the account.
Two honest notes. The appeal needs a valid ID, so have one ready before you tap Appeal. And the review isn't quick: plan for up to a month without the account. The Terms also warn against misusing any appeals channel, including groundless appeals, so only appeal when the date of birth is right. If ID comes up for a different reason, here's why Instagram asks for ID. If the account has been locked rather than removed, this guide to a temporarily locked Instagram account is the better place to start.
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Reporting an account that belongs to a child
If you find an account that belongs to someone under the minimum age, Instagram asks you to report it using a form linked from its Help Centre. The same form covers an account you believe is impersonating your child. If the account is your own child's, the Help Centre's suggestion is gentler: show them how to delete it themselves.
Deletion isn't instant. Instagram's Terms say the deletion process starts no more than 30 days after a request, and it can take up to 90 days to delete content once that process has begun. While it's under way, the content isn't visible to other users.
My advice for parents and brand owners
I'd start with the Help Centre region list, because 13 isn't the answer everywhere, and skip any workaround that involves a fake birth date. The Terms ban inaccurate information, a wrong birthday changes the account's privacy defaults, and an appeal asks for real ID anyway.
If your child is old enough and keen, set the account up together and go through the parental controls Instagram offers before they post. If you run a brand that works with children, keep under-age faces on accounts an adult manages, with that line in the bio. It's a small bit of admin that saves you losing the account later.
If you run a brand account for a young audience and want it set up safely and sensibly, that's the kind of social media guidance I give. I run AI training and workshops for teams, and help businesses with AI enablement and workflow automation, so the busywork runs itself and people get time back. Most of that work is with SaaS marketing teams and small businesses. Here's how we can work together.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Instagram age requirement?
You must be at least 13 in most countries. As of October 2026 Instagram lists 14 for South Korea, Quebec, Spain and Florida, and 16 for Australia.
Can a child under 13 have an Instagram account?
Only if a parent or manager runs it, the bio clearly says so, and the adult can provide ID proving they run it if Instagram asks. Otherwise Instagram deletes the account.
Does a business account need a date of birth?
Yes. Instagram asks everyone for a date of birth, including accounts for a pet, hobby or brand. It isn't shown on your profile.
How long does an Instagram age appeal take?
Instagram says the review of your date of birth may take up to 30 days after you appeal and submit a valid ID.
Are teen Instagram accounts private by default?
Yes. When someone under 16, or under 18 in certain countries, signs up, Instagram sets the account to Private by default.
