So dd (year 6) tells me ALL her friends are on instagram...

[ShirtySocks]

I've had a look at it, for a start it is for children over 13yrs and secondly it seems to be entirely about sending videos and pictures to each other. I know you can set up privacy so it is only friends who can instagram her but it still doesn't sit well with me old fart.

Dd doesn't have a phone and I would like for her to be able to chat to her friends but I really don't like the idea of her constantly sending pics and videos to other children (even girls in her class - some of them are lovely, others are not and dd is not one of the 'cool' kids...) from my iPad. I'm happy to say no to instagram at all but am I being overly protective?

Any thoughts on it?

iirc instagram is owned by Facebook now so assume they will over time have the same approach to privacy etc

Ok so privacy is ok ish. Is it really a good idea in the hands of under 13yrs do you think?

DD1 (Y8) and DD2 (Y6) are Instagram mad. Most of their posts seem to be photos of their dinner, their mates, or whatever they happen to be doing, or "liking" funny stuff sent by friends. They both have private profiles so only communicate with people they know.

If they are Internet safety-savvy, and allow you to regularly check what they are posting and who to, then it should be fine.

Dd2 asked recently she's 11. I have made her account and at the same time made one for myself and I followed her and vice versa It seems most if her friends parents did the same. I can look at what she's posted or anything she is tagged in as I have her account log in and she knows this which I think is wise. However it's very boring photos if each other in groups pulling silly faces, lunch, cupcakes and an occasional selfy but that's about it.

Dd isn't internet savvy but she would be happy for me to check up on it (we have already discussed this).
We have had chats about privacy, not talking to strangers online, not posting things you wouldn't be happy with everyone seeing, how easy it is for people to copy and distribute stuff you post etc etc and I have shown her and DS this video from CEOPS so she isn't savvy in that she hasn't had access to this sort of chat facility before but I have to talked to both my dc about internet safety.

Instagram is the biggest waste of space on the Internet. I seriously wouldn't bother with it. Why are kids these days so obsessed with social media at such a young age?