It has come to our attention that a number of children at Archibald now have Instagram accounts. The required age for an Instagram account is 13 years old. However children can easily access this app through phones and tablets.
Instagram is the newest mega-social network that every parent needs to be aware of. Instagram is a photo editing and sharing ‘app’ that allows users to edit photos taken on their phone and post them to Instagram, Facebook and Twitter with the click of a button. Instagram photos are open to the public by default and Instagram lets users browse public photos posted by others and by people whom they follow.
Sounds innocent enough, but it presents several threats to children. As is the case with virtually all-social networks, signing up for an Instagram account requires that the user provide a Username. In many cases young children are using their real first and last names to create their accounts. To make matters worse, the sign-up process has an optional phone number section where users can submit their phone number as part of their public profile. The key word here is ‘public.’ Ensure that your child’s does not use their name if they sign up.
Please find below and in the Esafety section on our website, ways to ensure if your child does have a Instagram account how they can use it safely.
We have also talked to the children about their awareness of what they share in assembly and how to ensure they do this safely. If you would like any further guidance, Please see Miss Bradley or Mrs Turner.
