If you’ve been on Instagram before 2019, you’ll recall a time when the app didn’t ask for your birthday during sign-up. However, if you’ve logged in recently, you’ve likely noticed persistent reminders to add this info. You can delay it by selecting “Not Now,” but only temporarily. Eventually, Instagram insists on this detail to continue using the platform. So, what’s the deal? Why is Instagram now keen on knowing your birthday?
These questions flooded the Internet when the new pop-ups appeared, and we’re here to provide detailed answers.
Implementing the Age Restriction Policy
You probably know that Instagram requires users to be thirteen or older. While this rule isn’t new, the app only started asking for birthdays in December 2019. Before that, anyone who created an account had more flexibility.
Since 2019, Instagram has been serious about age restrictions, prompting new users to enter their birthdays during account setup. Existing users also got reminders to update their profiles.
With this stricter policy, accounts from users under thirteen get removed right away. For everyone else, Instagram uses birthdays to decide what kind of content to show. For instance, users under sixteen automatically have private profiles and can’t see sensitive posts.
Objecting to the Removal
If you mistakenly set your age as under thirteen, leading to the removal of your account, you can appeal this decision. To do so, submit a valid ID confirming you are older than thirteen. Instagram will then review your case within thirty days and reinstate your account if the provided evidence is satisfactory.
Editing Birthday on Instagram
Once you input your age on Instagram, it’s permanent. The app doesn’t permit adjustments to your birthday, probably to prevent false information. If you added a few extra years when creating your account, you won’t be able to change it later. Fortunately, only you can see your birthday on Instagram, avoiding any confusion.
