Instagram launches Parents Guide to help keep your kids safe online

Facebook may not have the best record when it comes to securing user data or protecting their privacy, but the company does provide regular reminders to users to check their privacy settings and to update their security settings. The company’s photo-sharing service, Instagram, on Monday launched a guide to inform parents in the country of the safety features available on the platform.

A representative for the company stated that it s new Parents Guide resource is available across various countries and has been designed in order to help parents with a better understanding of the constantly changing online world. Last year, the company had partnered with youth media and community engagement company Yuvaa, to launch a #365DaysOfKindness program including workshops and conversations with mental health care influencers on ways to ensure the internet is safer for everyone.

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The 63-page guide begins with the basics by explaining what Instagram is as a service, then goes on to explain the various privacy settings available inside the app. It also describes the tools one can use to control and manage interactions with others such as blocking comments, as well as time management. Ensuring account security, which is also important in the age is phishing and online scams has also been covered. The guide also contains important contact details for people with special needs, the LGBTQIA+ community, those experiencing emotional distress and have contemplated suicide. Parents who are interested in viewing the guide can do so by clicking this link.

The guide also contains conversation starters for parents (such as “I saw your latest story and thought it was../What do you like posting about?”) who want to discuss important issues with their children - it states that the 2021 version has taken the help of various organisations that are actively involved in the rights and safety of children, including Center for Social Research, Cyber Peace Foundation, Aarambh India Initiative, Young Leaders for Activity Citizenship, It’s Ok To Talk and Suicide Prevention India Foundation.

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“As the internet permeates into our lives, especially the lives of young people, parents want to be adequately equipped with the evolving digital landscape. They want to understand how a platform works and feel comfortable with their children leveraging its opportunities for creative expression while knowing the safety tools available to them that enable that expression in a supportive environment. This is what we’re aiming to provide with the 2021 version of the Parents Guide,” said Tara Bedi, Public Policy and Community Outreach Manager, Instagram in India