Cyber safety educator reacts to Instagram changes

Instagram has announced a suite of changes aimed at improving cyber safety for teenagers on Instagram.

But the founder and CEO of Safe on Social has told 3AW parents still had the most important role to play in keeping their kids safe online.

Under the changes, parents will be able to limit the amount of time their children spend on Instagram, see follower lists and be notified about inappropriate behaviour.

Kirra Pendergast said it was a positive step, but urged parents to keep their kids off the app, expressing concern at some 40 per cent of primary school aged kids being on Instagram in the first place.

“I think there should be a healthy dose of parents saying no, to be honest, because kids are seeing things they shouldn’t be seeing,” she said.

Press PLAY below to hear her thoughts

Picture: Getty iStock.