Teenager on Instagram - WWYD?

[SunshineinSpain]

I am fairly ignorant about teenagers on Social Media, as my DC are a bit younger, so forgive me if this post seems overly naive/over-protective/stupid.

My friend’s 13yo DD (let’s call her Rose) has an Instagram account. Friend isn’t on IG, and doesn’t she really understand what it is (I’ve explained a few times). Rose is a pretty girl with womanly curves.

I am following Rose on IG, and her last IG story was not exactly inappropriate, but I’m not sure I’d want my own DD posting it when she’s 13yo - basically, a video of Rose’s thighs close up - she was sunning herself. I feel prudish even saying this, but with all the dodgy fellas out there, and risks of grooming etc, wonder if I should tell her Mum (on condition of my anonymity, or DD will think I’m an interfering old busybody, which I guess I am)? If she was 16, it would be different, but 13 seems such an impressionable age - they may act older and look older, but FFS they’re only just hitting puberty!

The other thing is, her account is not Private, which I insist my (pre-teen) kid’s is. I looked at Rose’s followers and there were some make ones who were definitely older than teenagers.

So it’s not just about the content, but who’s seeing it.

I know Rose’s mum is quite neurotic about her safety, especially as regards men, so while she is not in any danger, should I dob her in to her mum? So that she can get Rose to put her account on private, at least.

Yes. Tell her mother. And tell her to learn about social media and how to protect her child.

Was it one of those shots where she is on a sunlounger, knees bent up against a blue sky? If so, I would say fairly innocuous. My DD is 13 and these kinds of posts do not worry me. Keep an eye out for overtly sexy poses and cleavage and maybe flag that up. Her mum should make it her business to learn about social meda tbh. And her DDs account should definitely be private.

Her mother seriously needs to educate herself on all things social media- ignorance is not bliss when it comes to online safety.

Yes, SlightlyJaded, knees up video. That’s why I wondered if I was over-reacting. In any case, her account should definitely be on private.

Yes, tell her mum. She needs to educate herself on social media. She also needs to insist her daughter sets her account to private. Instagram is a cruising ground for all sorts of pervs.