Instagram's minimum age is 13 in most countries. Suspected child accounts, and accounts whose birthday works out under 13, get a "not old enough" screen and are taken down. If that's wrong, the Appeal button on that screen leads to an ID upload; Instagram reviews the birthday within up to 30 days and restores the account if it erred. Separately, some regions ask everyone to prove their age, by birthday, document or selfie video.
Why every account has a birthday
Instagram requires users to be at least 13 in most countries and asks everyone for a date of birth to keep younger children out.
- It's the operator's birthday. Even an account for a dog, a pastime or a shop needs the date of birth of whoever runs it; a company's founding date doesn't belong there.
- Nobody else sees it. Your date of birth isn't displayed on your profile, public or not.
- Young teens start private. Sign-ups under 16 (or 18, depending on the country) begin as private accounts.
The "not old enough" screen
Instagram shows it in two situations: a review into whether a child runs the account, or a birthday that makes the user younger than 13. Removal follows.
Adults hit it too: a mistyped birth year, or a business's founding date entered in place of a person's birthday. Whatever caused it, the appeal is the way back.
Appealing step by step
- On that screen, tap Appeal at the bottom.
- Follow the instructions and upload a valid ID.
- Wait for the birthday check; Instagram may need 30 days, and reinstates accounts it removed in error.
Our own tips (not Instagram rules): use the ID of whoever actually runs the account; photograph the card lying flat, evenly lit, glare-free and fully readable; and note the appeal date so you know when 30 days have passed.
When Instagram asks you to prove your age
Age checks aren't only a post-removal thing. Instagram says some regions require confirming your age to keep using the account, and certain features, or a birthday change, may need verification too.
| Aspect | What Instagram says |
|---|---|
| Methods | Date of birth, an identity document, a selfie video, or a combination |
| Partner | Yoti, an outside age-verification company that can check either the selfie or the document |
| Visibility | The information confirms your age and isn't shown on your profile or to anyone on Instagram |
| Your birthday | Viewable and editable in settings |
The age-estimation selfie
Available only in some countries. Instagram's example: someone under 16 trying to change their age to over 16 will be asked for more proof.
- Age, not identity. An image from the selfie goes to the vendor, whose technology estimates age and can't recognise specific people.
- Deleted afterwards. Once the estimate reaches Instagram, the image is deleted within 30 days, and no other information about you goes to the vendor.
- Recording tips. Whole face visible, decent light, nothing covering your face such as a mask or hat, and move as the screen directs.
- Timing. A result within up to 20 minutes, sent as a notification.
Not to be confused with the identity selfie used in account recovery: video selfie verification.
Not an age check: the teen-availability label
Some creators confuse a label in Account Status with age verification. It signals that part of your profile or posts doesn't meet Instagram's guidelines for younger audiences, so teenagers may be blocked from viewing, following or messaging you unless a parent or guardian allows it. Your account stays up.
- Look for the teen-availability section inside Account Status.
- Fix it by editing, archiving or changing the flagged items or profile; Instagram re-checks within up to 24 hours.
- In some cases you can tap Request review without changing anything.
More on Account Status: reach dropped.
Your ID belongs in the app only
Documents and selfies go through Instagram's screens and nowhere else; no third party can complete the check on your behalf. Requests for your ID or a selfie "so we can unlock it" are scams: recovery scams.
Common questions
How long does an age appeal take?
Allow 30 days. Wrongly removed accounts are reinstated, and Instagram tells you.
What do I need for an under-13 appeal?
The Appeal button at the bottom of the removal screen, then the on-screen steps and a valid ID.
What happens to my age-check selfie?
It's erased no later than 30 days after Instagram gets the estimate, and the vendor's technology estimates age only; it can't identify individuals.
Can I change my birthday?
Yes, in settings, though Instagram may first ask for age verification, for instance when someone under 16 tries to change their age to over 16.
Stuck after an age removal?
Share the notice text and your appeal date. A free reply covers the options left. We'll never ask for passwords, codes or ID documents.
Sources
- Why Instagram is asking for your birthday (Instagram Help Center) help.instagram.com
- Confirming your age on Instagram (Instagram Help Center) help.instagram.com
- How does video selfie age verification work on Instagram? (Instagram Help Center) help.instagram.com
- See if your Instagram account is available for people under 18 (Instagram Help Center) help.instagram.com