The initiative for policy change taken by Instagram has become a necessity now.
The growing digitalization is encouraging kids to entangle themselves with the internet from a very young age.
Kids are usually attracted to all glitter that they see on the internet without accessing what is real and what is not.
The lack of understanding and maturity makes them an easy target over the internet.
In a quest to avoid incidents wherein underaged kids are involved to occur on Instagram, a minimum age limit was introduced.
This age limit was enabled to keep a check on the underaged kids who were using Instagram without parental guidance and for the kids who are pretending to be adults so that the access to their Instagram account remains unhindered.
Does Instagram Ask For Age Verification?
Yes, Instagram asks for your age verification. This process started when Instagram suddenly started asking everyone about their birthdays.
According to Instagram,
“You must be at least 13 years old to have an Instagram account. We disabled your account because you are not old enough yet. If you believe that we made a mistake, please verify your age by submitting a valid photo ID that clearly shows your face and date of birth.“
This started when suddenly, one day, Instagram asked about my birthday and would allow me to proceed to my profile only after I filled in my correct birthday.
Many people were confused as to how will this benefit them and why Instagram is making this mandatory.
After several questions and clicking on know more it was clarified that the intention behind asking for birthdays was to filter out the underaged kids who were below 13 years and were using Instagram without parental guidance.
The AI algorithm will examine the data all around the person’s profile which will include comments and posts.
This algorithm will check and ensure that you have entered the correct date of birth.
Further, if you have accounts on other websites such as Facebook and you are using the same email for both of them, then it will check data for both accounts and apply it to other apps.
How To Verify Age On Instagram?
There is a form name, Help us Verify your Age, by which you can verify your age on Instagram. The process of filling out this form is provided below.
Filling Out The “Help Us Verify Your Age.”
Step 1: Visit Instagram Age Verification Page
On your Google chrome, you will have to type: https://help.instagram.com/contact/730583250290732. It will then redirect you to the Instagram age verification page.
Step 2: Fill Out The Information
After opening the form, fill out the information like your full name, email id, username chosen for Instagram, and most importantly, your Date of birth.
Step 3: Attach Proof
As you will fill out the information, you will see it is asking for identity proof which is labeled as a valid ID.
The Id that qualifies as a valid ID is the one that consists of your photo and date of birth.
Step 4: Attach ID
Select the Id which is described as valid by their terms and attach a digital copy of the same with them.
Step 5: Tap On Send
After attaching the valid ID, select Send to submit the form and begin the procedure of appeal.
It should be understood that the identity proof asked by Instagram is encrypted and won’t be shared with anyone either over the internet or on Instagram.
Further, it is also assured that the submitted ID will automatically be deleted within 30 days of submission.
Also Read: Does Instagram Suggest Users Who Search For You?
How Long Does It Take For Instagram To Verify Your Age?
It may take 3 to 7 days for them to respond with a decision once you complete the appeal form with the requisite legal ID.
Due to a large number of complaints and concerns filed throughout the world, responses to your appeals and queries may be delayed.
Instagram normally responds to the email address you provided in your account when you set up your Instagram profile.
All official correspondence is sent to this email, so keep an eye on it in case you miss the letter.
How To Set The Age On Instagram On PC?
Steps To Set The Age On Instagram on PC:
Step 1: Open Instagram On Your Browser
Open the browser of your choice and search for Instagram.
Step 2: Log In To Your Account
After opening Instagram on your browser, you will be directed to its login page. Herein fill out the details of username and password to proceed further.
Step 3: Click On Profile
As you log in to your account, you will be directed to the home page of your feed.
This home page consists of all the posts and stories available from your followers and following.
Click on the Profile option, which is available in the top corner on the right side of the page.
Step 4: Select Edit Profile
After clicking on the profile, a menu will open, which will consist of the “edit profile” option. This edit option will allow you to edit out the information that you previously entered, which describes you and your profile to others.
Step 5: Select Birthday
After going through the “Edit Profile” option, you will see another list that will ask you about the section that you want to edit in your profile. Select Birthday.
Step 6: Enter Your Birth Date
After selecting the Birthday option, you can edit and enter your date of birth for the Instagram records.
This birthday will now become the basis for Instagram guidelines and their applicability to your profile.
Step 7: Tap On Confirm
After entering your date of birth, you will have to select done. After selecting done, you will have to select Confirm to complete the process.
Also Read: Who You Might Know Is On Instagram Meaning
How To Set The Age On Instagram On Mobile?
Steps To Set The Age On Instagram on Mobile:
Step 1: Open Instagram App
Open your mobile phone Android or iPhone and search for Instagram. Click on it to open.
Step 2: Log In To Your Account
After opening Instagram, you will have to enter the details of your account, such as username and password.
Step 3: Go To Your Profile
When you open your account, you are directed to your feed. This home page consists of all the posts and updates of your friends and followers.
Select your profile photo to open your profile
Step 4: Select Edit Profile
When your profile opens, you will see an Edit Profile option on it. Select it.
Step 5: Select Personal Information Setting
After opening the edit profile, you will see various options which can be edited, such as your profile picture or your bio.
Herein, at last, you will see the option of Personal information settings.
Click on Personal information settings to proceed further.
Step 6: Edit Your Date Of Birth
After proceeding, you will see the column for the date of birth. You shall fill the correct date of birth in the column.
If your accounts are linked with your Facebook account, you will see the option of changing the date of birth there also.
Step 7: Tap On Done
After entering your correct date of birth, select the option Done, which is present at the top corner on the right side of the page.
This will update your date of birth for your account.
Why Do You Need To Verify Age On Instagram?
To comply with the initiative of making Instagram a safe and private space for children, Instagram initiated keeping a record of people’s birthdays.
This record allows them to track the age of the users and provide them with an experience appropriate for their respective ages.
Recently Instagram set an age limit of 13 years to ensure that underaged kids are protected from unsupervised online surfing, and lesser incidents are reported, especially on Instagram.
The technology doesn’t stop here. It is easy for people to put up the wrong age and continue using Instagram.
To combat this problem, the Artificial intelligence algorithm will track the posts and comments to look up whether the information you entered is correct or not.
If you put out the wrong information and the same is tracked by the Instagram AI, then your account will be disabled for 30 days. If you believe it was done in error, you can file an appeal with Instagram.
If you get a warning indicating your account has been blocked owing to the minimum age requirement, you may either accept it if you are truly underage, or you can appeal to them using the processes outlined above to have your account restored.
Also Read: How To Turn ON/ OFF Vanish Mode On Instagram?
How To Remove The Age Restriction On Instagram?
Steps To Remove The Age Restriction On Instagram:
Step 1: Open Instagram App
Open your mobile phone and search for Instagram. Click on it to open.
Step 2: Log In To Your Account
After opening Instagram, you will have to enter the details of your account, such as username and password.
Step 3: Go To Your Profile
When you open your account, you are directed to your feed. This home page consists of all the posts and updates of your friends and followers.
Select your profile photo to open your profile
Step 4: Click On 3 Horizontal Line
After opening your profile, you will see 3 horizontal line in the top right corner of the page.
Click on this to open a list.
Step 5: Select Settings
After opening the list, you will see the option of opening the setting of your profile. Click on Setting to proceed further.
Step 6: Click On Creator Or Business
After selecting the setting menu, you will notice that there are options for your Creator profile and Business profile.
Depending upon the nature of your profile, select any one of them to proceed.
Step 7: Click On The Minimum Age
After selecting your profile type, you will see another list opens up. In this list, you will have select the option of minimum age.
This will allow you to select a minimum age for your viewers.
Step 8: Define The Age
You can choose a default age that will be used across the board. You may also use country-wise specific ages.
Only the default age for that nation will be replaced with country-wise specific ages.
To remove the age limit, you should set it to the lowest age prescribed. It will allow people of all age groups to access your content.
If You Accidentally Clicked Under 18 On Instagram?
If you have accidentally clicked on under 18 on Instagram, then you don’t need to worry. You can change your age by filling out a simple form on Instagram.
Follow the below-written steps to change the age and file for an appeal to Instagram.
Filling Out The “Help Us Verify Your Age.”
Step 1: Click On The Appeal
When the error pops up, click on Appeal to open the Help us verify your age form.
Step 2: Fill Out The Information
After opening the form, fill out the information like your full name, email id, username chosen for Instagram, and most importantly, your Date of birth.
Step 3: Attach Proof
As you will fill out the information, you will see it is asking for identity proof which is labeled as a valid ID.
The Id that qualifies as a valid ID is the one that consists of your photo and date of birth.
Step 4: Attach ID
Select the Id which is described as valid by their terms and attach a digital copy of the same with them.
Step 5: Tap On Send
After attaching the valid ID, select Send to submit the form and begin the procedure of appeal.
It should be understood that the identity proof asked by Instagram is encrypted and won’t be shared with anyone either over the internet or on Instagram.
Further, it is also assured that the submitted ID will automatically be deleted within 30 days of submission.
Also Read: Fix: Instagram Not Showing Mutual Likes
How To Fix “My Instagram Account That Was Locked Due To Age”?
If your Instagram has locked you out due to the age factor, then you need to consider 2 scenarios.
Firstly, you have filed the wrong date of birth on your Instagram. Because of this, you are being considered underaged according to the Instagram guidelines.
Secondly, somebody has reported your account stating that your account is being used by a child who is underaged according to the guidelines however is impersonating to be an adult and using this account.
In both scenarios, you will have to provide Instagram with proof of your age which will help them remove the restrictions on your account.
Follow the steps given below to file an appeal against the disablement of your account to Instagram.
Step 1: Open Instagram
Search for Instagram on your phone and click to open it.
Step 2: Log In To Your Account
After opening the Instagram app, enter your user name and password to open and access your account.
Step 3: The Error Will Show Up On Your Monitor
according to the error message. Your account has been disabled for 30 days, and if the issue is not rectified during that time, it will be permanently removed.
Step 4: Choose An Appeal
When you see an error warning on your feed, go down to the bottom of the page and select Appeal to Instagram.
So that you may proceed, select that option.
Step 5: Select Help Us Verify Your Age
Following your appeal to Instagram, a prompt to “help us verify your age” will appear.
This form must be filled out completely and precisely so that Instagram can accept your proof of age.
Step 6: Select Send
After filling out the form, select send along with proof to ensure that this issue is resolved.
Step 7: Check Your Mail
After sending out your verify your age form with the identity proof, you need to wait for a few days to receive a reply from the Instagram team.
Usually, they reply between 3-7 days.
Also Read: Fix: Instagram Not Loading Reels
Conclusion
The new Instagram policies are designed to match the view of making Instagram a safe place for kids with or without the supervision of any adults.
They are continuously issuing policies and guidelines to ensure such safety, and adding the minimum age to use Instagram is one of such policies.
The introduction of the minimum age has caused trouble for Instagram users.
However, the procedure to appeal and provide an opportunity to present Instagram with ID proof is surely an easy way to tackle such a problem.
The procedure as explained above is very easy to follow and shall help resolve the problem quickly. The Instagram help responds within 3 to 5 days after the appeal form is filed.
