10 Instagram Direct Message Settings Parents Need to Know Now!

Using the Instagram direct message settings can help create a safer space for your child on Instagram. Although Instagram can help kids connect and share, it can also expose them to messaging from strangers or inappropriate content. It’s only natural to be worried about who may be contacting your child.

The good news? A few easy measures can help you take charge. In this blog, we’ll walk you through 10 simple settings that can help you block unwanted messages, filter harmful content, and ease your mind. Let's make Instagram a safer place for your child together!

1. Manage Message Requests

Did you know that most unwanted messages on Instagram begin in the “Message Requests” section? This is where people your child doesn’t follow can message them. Often, these messages come from strangers or fake accounts and can be very dangerous when ignored.

• Check Message Requests Frequently: Open the Instagram app, go to the DM section, and click “Requests”. This is where you’ll see messages from people if your child doesn't follow them. Remove any request that appears unsafe.
• Manage Who Can Send Message Requests: Go to Settings > Messages or story replies > Message requests. This is where you set who can send message requests. Turn off requests from people you don't know or do not have in your contact list.

2. Turn Off Vanish Mode for Safer Conversations

Instagram’s Vanish Mode sounds fun because it makes messages disappear once the chat is closed, but when it comes to safety, it's not up to the mark. This feature is designed to hide conversations, making it more difficult to follow your child’s activity on Instagram.

• Go to the chats (with a dark background) where Vanish Mode is enabled.
• Swipe up the chat screen, you'll be notified saying "You turned off disappearing messages".
• To keep Vanish Mode from being used, remind your kid not to turn it on or check their Instagram chats often.

3. Control Who Can Send Messages to Your Child

Want to know who’s sliding into your kid’s Instagram DMs? If you don’t adjust this setting, strangers, spam accounts, or strangers with bad intentions could easily message your kid. The good news? You can mute these interactions and only allow trusted people.

• Go to Instagram, then Settings > Limit Interactions > Turn on.
• Kids don't receive new follow requests or personal messages when you enable this feature. You can also set a time duration for this feature for better control.

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4. Block or Restrict Unwanted Contacts

Nobody wants their child to have unwanted or harmful interactions on Instagram. Luckily, Instagram direct message settings make it simple to block or restrict people who may be problematic. Whether the potential risk is from a stranger, spam account, or even someone they follow on Instagram, you can quickly take necessary action to make their experience safe.

• To Block Someone:
  • Search their name or tap their name in the chat to view their full profile.
  • Hit the three-dot icon in the upper-right corner and choose the “Block” option.
  • This simple option prevents others from messaging or even viewing your child’s account.
• To Restrict Someone:
  • From the same menu, choose the “Restrict” option.
  • This option moves new messages into the “Requests” folder, and users will not be able to see whether their messages are viewed.

5. Filter Out Harmful Messages with Hidden Words

Not every message on Instagram is safe or nice, however, there’s the “Hidden Words” option that you could use to automatically filter out abusive or offensive content. This keeps your child’s Instagram history “clean” with no undesirable messages.

• On the Instagram app, head to Instagram Settings > Hidden Words.
• Here, enable the hidden messages or comments option to block offensive words, phrases, and emojis. Instagram also allows you to add specific words you want to block.
• When this option is activated, messages that contain any of the chosen words will be sent to a hidden folder.

6. Limit Who Can Add Your Child to Group Chats

Group chats are great, but they can also be a place for unwanted people to add your child into groups without permission. But Instagram direct message settings allow you to decide who can add them to group chats, preventing them from having conversations with strangers or unsafe groups.

• On Instagram, Open Settings > Messages > Message Requests.
• Find the option “Who Can Add You to Group chats”.
• Select “Only People You Follow on Instagram” to limit access.

7. Set Up Notifications for DM Activity

Instagram notifications are like your silent guardian for monitoring. Rather than repeatedly checking the Instagram dashboard, they help keep you informed about new messages or malicious activity when it happens. It’s like keeping an eye on the interactions without being overbearing.

• Head to Instagram’s Settings and then select "Notifications".
• Select "Messages and Calls" and turn on notifications for new message requests and active chats.
• Set up customized notifications, so that you are only notified about high-importance activity such as requests from unrecognized users.

8. Use Sensitive Content Control for DMs

Sensitive Content Control is another built-in Instagram feature designed to block inappropriate or harmful content before it gets into your child’s inbox. When this feature is enabled, your kid's interactions remain protected against harmful links, offensive words, or unwanted media.

• On Instagram, visit Settings > Suggested Content.
• Next, select the "Sensitive Content Control" option. Here, choose "less content" to filter out offensive content from kids' DMs.

9. Encourage Reporting and Blocking of Suspicious Users

Even with numerous safety features enabled, your child may still encounter questionable or uncomfortable interactions while using Instagram. For multiple reasons, teaching them to report and/or block these users is a simple but effective step to keep their online space safe.

Reporting Suspicious Users:

• Go to the user’s profile or the conversation.
• Tap the three dots in the upper-right corner.
• Choose “Report” and follow the prompts to report the nature of the issue (spam, harassment, etc.).

Blocking Suspicious Users:

• From that same menu, select the “Block” option.
• Blocking stops the person from sending messages, viewing posts, and engaging with your kid's account forever.

10. Regularly Review Instagram Direct Message Settings

Making Instagram a safer place for your child isn’t something you do once and then forget. You need to review their Instagram direct message settings regularly to ensure that everything remains secure. As your child meets new people daily or if Instagram introduces new features, it’s worth regularly checking and updating these settings.

You also must go through blocked and restricted users to confirm no unwanted users are reaching your kids. These simple checks don’t take much time but are worth a secure and worry-free experience, leaving you with peace of mind regarding your kids' online experience!

Conclusion

You don’t need to over complicate things to safeguard your child's online interactions. Simple Instagram direct message settings, such as message controls, content filters and group chat restrictions, can help you create a safer digital space. These changes help prevent spam and bad content reaching their account. Control these settings today and make your child's online experience more secure, so they can build good connections without unnecessary risks.