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How to Block 18+ Adult Content on Instagram? [Solved]

Joanne Croft
Joanne Croft Originally published Feb 24, 25, updated Mar 14, 25
10 min(s)

While most social media platforms enforce strict policies to curb adult content, users often find ways to bypass these restrictions. Although such content may be manageable for adults, it becomes a serious issue when children—who primarily use these platforms for entertainment—are exposed to it. This problem is particularly acute on Instagram, where explicit content has become increasingly common despite the platform’s efforts.

To address this, Instagram offers various features allowing users to adjust their feed settings and reduce unwanted exposure. This article will explain how to block adult content on Instagram and introduce an innovative parental control app that empowers parents to monitor and manage their kids’ online activities effectively.

block adult content on instagram

Part 1. Can You Block Inappropriate Content on Instagram?

Instagram offers several features, such as Sensitive Content Control, to reduce exposure to adult material. However, some inappropriate posts may still slip through because these tools rely on AI and user reports. For better control, it's advisable to use multiple methods together.

Moreover, Instagram’s settings require constant monitoring and updates to remain effective. Therefore, parents should consider activating additional monitoring and filtering tools. The following sections will outline 6 practical methods for parents to stop adult content on Instagram.

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Part 2. 6 Methods to Stop Adult Content on Instagram via Built-in Features

As said above, Instagram provides features allowing people to manage adult content on their feeds. In this part, parents can learn how to block inappropriate content on Instagram by using the following features of the app.

Method 1. Enable Instagram’s Sensitive Content Controls

Using this feature, users can manage the type of content they see in sections like Reels. This feature is helpful in reducing exposure to adult or offensive material. As a result, it lets you customize your content experience to align with your comfort levels by changing these settings. Parents can also learn how to restrict inappropriate content on Instagram through these steps:

Step 1. Going to the Profile section on Instagram. After that, hit the Hamburger icon at the top corner of the screen to access the settings. Here, scroll down and tap the Content Preferences feature to access its various options.

access contact preferences from instagram profile

Step 2. Select the Sensitive Content option on the new screen to access its three options. Finally, switch to the Less option and press Confirm on the screen.

choose less from sensitive content settings

Method 2. Switch Your Instagram Account to Private

Parents can change their children's account settings to private to control who can see and interact with their content. While this method does not block adult posts, it helps protect children from interactions with unknown users and receiving inappropriate pictures directly. As a parent, you can follow the given steps to learn how to hide inappropriate content on Instagram:

Instructions:

After accessing the Profile section, press the Hamburger icon. Once you reach the settings section, find and tap the Account Privacy option. When it opens on a new screen, simply toggle on the Private Account option to complete the process.

switch instagram account to private

Method 3. Block and Report Inappropriate Users

Another effective method is to block and report accounts that post explicit content. Users who are blocked can no longer interact with or view your posts and stories. Reporting someone also alerts the moderation team, who may act if the content violates guidelines. To learn how to filter inappropriate content on Instagram by blocking someone, follow these steps:

Step 1. Go to the targeted person’s profile and press the Three Dots icon. From the bottom-up menu, you can press the Block option Select the Block and Report option when another menu appears and send the profile for manual inspection.

continue to block and report accounts

Step 2. Here, you need to select the Something Else option from the new menu screen. Finally, when the options load, tap the Nudity or Sexual Activity option to complete the reporting process.

complete reporting via something else

Method 4. Filter Explicit Comments Using Keyword Filters

One way to deal with the unwanted content on this platform is to filter out certain words or phrases. The most common place where you come across inappropriate material is the comments. Instagram lets you filter out explicit or offensive comments using keyword filters.

Moreover, you can customize the filter to block specific words to keep your comments section clean. The following guide tells you how to restrict inappropriate content on Instagram:

Step 1. Press the Hamburger icon in your Profile section. From the settings screen, scroll down and access the Hidden Words section.

access hidden words profile settings

Step 2. On the new screen, ensure the Hide Comments and Hide Message Requests options are toggled on. After that, tap the Manage Custom Words and Phrases option, and on the following screen, enter the targeted terms. Finally, press the Add button and repeat the process for all explicit terms.

toggle hidden comments and messages

Method 5. Activate Parental Supervision Features on Instagram

What their children watch on this social media platform is a major concern for many parents. Instagram offers dedicated parental control through Meta Family Center to alleviate these worries. By activating this feature, parents can protect their children from Instagram's inappropriate content. These steps let them set screen time limits and control who can message the child:

Step 1. Access the settings by pressing the Hamburger icon from your Profile section. Then, scroll down to find and press the Family Center option. On the following screen, tap the Get Started button.

get started with family center option

Step 2. After ensuring the teen account is in your follower's list, select it from the following screen and press the Invite button. Once they accept it on their device, you can see it listed on your device. Finally, tap it, and a new screen will appear with various controls to manage the teen account remotely.

activate parental supervision feature via invitation

Method 6. Use Browser Extensions for Desktop Instagram Filtering

For users who access the platform on a computer, an effortless way exists to avoid such content. Multiple browser extensions offer an additional layer of content filtering. These help remove explicit content by restricting access to the Explore page. To answer the question of "Can you block inappropriate content on Instagram," adhere to these instructions to use Antigram:

Step 1. To commence, install the Antigram extension on your browser by pressing the Add to Chrome button on the product page.

add antigram chrome extension

Step 2. Once the extension is installed, simply tap on it from the top bar to access its options. From the drop-down that appears, enable the options you think are most important to hide. Finally, simply press the Save Changes button and complete the process.

save changes and add extension

Evidently, the above methods are only temporary solutions and don't provide comprehensive blocking features. To ensure your children are safe from excessive explicit content on social media, you will need a powerful controlling app. Find a handy and advanced monitoring tool in the following section for those interested.

Part 3. How to Save Your Kids from Instagram Inappropriate Content Permanently?

As discussed earlier, Instagram’s built-in safety features can limit exposure to adult content but don’t provide complete protection. Even after learning how to block adult content on Instagram, children may still encounter inappropriate material, which can affect their mental and physical health. It's essential to take a more proactive approach to ensure stronger protection.

One effective way to do this is using a reliable third-party parental control app like Wondershare FamiSafe. FamiSafe allows parents to monitor their kids' online activity, sending real-time alerts when there are explicit images, videos, or texts on the kid’s device.

In addition, it enables parents to view and delete inappropriate content, ensuring peace of mind. With its Explicit Content Detection feature, FamiSafe provides comprehensive monitoring across multiple apps, making it a powerful tool for maintaining your child’s safety online.

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  • Set Screen Time & App Rules
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  • Web Filter & Safe Search
  • Location Tracking & Driving Report
  • App Blocker & App Activity Tracker
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  • Available on Multiple Platforms

Key Features:

  1. Web Filter: Guardians can block certain websites on their children’s phones. You can filter websites by categories and enable safe search to filter adult content.
  2. Browsing History: Parents can check their kids' browser history. Plus, you can find out which word or term is searched on children's phones.
  3. App Rules: The app helps parents block unwanted apps on their kid's devices. Besides, you can customize the list of blocked apps for specific timings.
  4. Screen Viewer: It lets users capture children’s screen activity by sending snapshots. Moreover, these screenshots can be taken through automated timed intervals.
  5. Inappropriate Pictures: Parents can adjust the accuracy level to control the detection of adult photos. Additionally, elders can send warnings once suspicious pictures are detected on teenagers' devices.

Guide to Block IG Adult Content for Kids via FamiSafe Porn Blocker

From the details that are shared above, you can see how FamiSafe is the ideal solution to block explicit content on kids' phones. To discover how to hide adult content on Instagram using FamiSafe, follow these instructions:

Step 1. Install the Instagram Porn Blocker App

Begin the process of blocking explicit content by installing FamiSafe on parents' phones. Afterward, launch the app and press the Start button to initiate the setup process. On the following screen, you will see a code for later use.

install and receive security code

Now, move to your kid’s phone and install FamiSafe Kids on it. Once done, launch it and enter the security code that you saved from the parent’s phone. When done, the app will ask for specific permissions you need to provide by pressing the Enable Now button. Finally, connect both phones by tapping the Turn On Now button.

enter security code on kids phone

Step 2. Access the Explicit Content Detection Feature

Switch to the parent's phone and access the Explicit Content Detection after tapping the Features tab.

choose explicit content detection

Step 3. Select Instagram and Start Detecting

As the feature’s various options appear on the screen, go to the Connecting section and toggle on the Instagram option. Then, the app will show you a confirmation popup from where you need to tap the OK button.

enable detection for instagram

Step 4. Enter Targeted Words to Start Monitoring

Now, move to the Alerts tab and press the Suspicious Words Library button. Enter the targeted explicit terms once the bottom-up menu appears and start the monitoring process.

enter explicit terms to start monitoring

Besides this feature, you can try the Web Filter or App Rules features of FamiSafe to block access to explicit content. These features conveniently block such content on different apps and browsers for kids’ safety.

Conclusion

In short, you can easily learn how to block adult content on Instagram using the methods discussed above. While the app provides several tools like Sensitive Content Controls and parental supervision features, they are not foolproof. Since adult content can still bypass AI filters, parents and other users must combine different methods for better protection.

Plus, switching accounts to private and using browser extensions can help reduce exposure to such material. For parents looking for a more comprehensive solution, a tool like FamiSafe is highly recommended. With features like web filtering and explicit content detection, it offers a complete way to manage children’s activity.

Joanne Croft
Joanne Croft Mar 14, 25
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