How-do-I-ask-my-parents-for-an-Instagram

How do I ask my parents to let me on Instagram?

How do I ask my parents to let me on Instagram? That phrase has actually been a consistent search for people who have found my blog. I don’t know if I’ve ever properly answered that question but I imagine they are landing here because I talk about social media often, including Instagram.

The good news is that these kids are wanting to ask their parents. So I imagine they are ‘youngish’ and their parents still have good control over what they do online.  It seems however that there is an inability to effectively communicate with their parents as to why they want to open an Instagram account.  Or maybe there has been a blanket refusal on the part of the parent in the past for all social media sites.  If there are age restriction issues or family values that prohibit these sites then you need to let it go until you are older.

This is not a post about how to ‘get around’ parents boundaries or rules. It is not about how to pull the wool over the eyes of parents. Kids can do that already very well. It is about helping parents and kids communicate. It is about giving kids and parents the tools to help understand each other better when it comes to using social networking sites. It is about keeping trust and showing responsibility.

So here is my advice for those wanting to ask their parents if they can open an Instagram account.

Sit down with your parents and explain that this is something you feel you can use in a positive way.

Explain that…….

  • You will open an account that is private
  • You will only accept followers from people you know in real life and are a positive addition to your life
  • You will allow your parent/s to follow you.
  • You will allow your parent to scrutinise the photos you put up
  • You will delete any photo your parent deems is inappropriate for whatever reason.
  • You will not include in your profile reference to your email address, or any other username for any other social media, such as Kik, Ask.Fm or Qooh.me. (however if you are not allowed on Instagram I am assuming you are not allowed on these either)
  • You will not comment negatively on anyone else’s photos
  • You will not swear in the comments
  • You will not engage in arguments that are nasty or aggressive
  • You will speak out to an adult if there is any interaction that makes you uncomfortable

If you do not abide by these rules, then mum or dad will have every right to insist you close down the account until you are able to use it more responsibly.

Parents need to remember that these sites are not only a big part of their world and their social interaction, but can also be a way to express themselves as well as experiment with creativity. My son follows some great photographers and gets to see some pretty amazing images. They are not all teenage selfies. Allowing our kids to use sites that we are able to closely monitor can help instil in them good online behaviours that they take with them to other sites as they get older and our control begins to diminish.

Kids must also remember however, that ultimately it is the parents that make the rules for your family and these must always be respected, regardless of what the other kids are doing.

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This Post Has 16 Comments

  1. JodiGibson (@JFGibsonWriter)

    Great tips. We used most of these when considering whether or not to allow our daughter on Instagram.

  2. Janet @ Redland City Living

    By the time instagram was a thing, my kids were past the age of asking! They were the ones who put ME on to it LOL …

    Visiting today from #teamIBOT xxx

  3. Becky from BeckyandJames.com

    Great tips. These are the things we will be looking at and discussing when it comes time for our kids to join social media (hopefully it’s still a little while off)

  4. Chantel

    Great ideas – I haven’t really thought about things like this yet as my son is only four – I dread to think of the technology when he is that age – please keep writing as I will be back on your doorstep in 3-4 years 🙂

    Hello from #teamIBOT

  5. Emily @ Have A Laugh On Me

    This is very interesting, I do hope you keep doing this for another 6 years Martine, because I will need your help then for sure!

  6. Lisa@RandomActsOfZen

    This is such a comprehensive list Martine, you’ve covered it all. My daughter started on IG, but the novelty has pretty much worn off.

  7. Antonia Parrish

    Omg! Thanx so much I think this time my parents might say yes! What a big help you are! Thank you Martine!

  8. Mehj

    Thx 4 the help
    I think this time my mum might fall 4 it

    thx again
    xx

  9. Sarah

    This might work. My mom has been very protective and I think I am ready to open an account but I still need to convince her…I wish I could just let her trust me. Hopefully these will make her say yes. If not I will just wait for my birthday.

  10. Jam

    thank you for this information. I’ve been trying to get Instagram for the past three years and every time I ask they so NO. hopefully, with the research I’ve done, I can change that answer!

  11. Jordyn

    I think my mom will actually say yes if I say this! Thank you Martine!!

  12. Jessica

    I have tried these tips and my parents are a lot closer to allowing it. This website has very much helped me in a positive way and Martine I would like to thank you for creating this blog and this piece of work because I have read it multiple times and I have gotten a lot further with the trust between me and my parents. THANKS SOOOO MUCH!????????????

  13. Geeon

    Thank you so much Martine!!! Maybe I can convince my parents to let me get Instagram! I’ve had it before but it was without their permission and I followed people I never personally knew (like friends or family) so I know that I lost a lot of their trust after that. But, I really do want to show them that I can be responsible with Social Media because, just like you stated, Social Media is really a big part of my generation’s community and life. Maybe with these reasons, they’d finally let me, or at least consider it.

  14. Scarlett

    Thank you so much Martine!! I will for sure tell my parents this information. Hopefully it works! I have been trying to get Instagram back for the past 5 months so maybe they might think it’s time to give it back especially since I am going into high school. Thanks again and I hope you keep writing more of these!!! They are very useful and helpful

  15. America

    I been wanting to have instagram like my friends and cousins but my parents don’t let me and I need to convince them so I’ll talk to them to see if they finally let me and trust me with social media

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