📋 Verified Walkthrough
iPhone & iPad • Social Media

How to safely use Instagram to follow family, grandkids, and favorite hobbies

Direct Answer

To follow family on Instagram safely, search their handle or name, tap "Follow," and tap their profile picture to watch "Stories." Set your account to "Private" in Settings so only approved friends can see what you share, and never tap links in direct messages asking for account verification or help logging in.

Why You Might Want to Do This

  • To see daily photo updates, travel pictures, and life milestones shared by kids and grandchildren.
  • To discover fun accounts centered around gardening, cooking, quilting, vintage cars, or nature photography.
  • To protect your privacy by keeping your account private from strangers and fake marketing bots.

Before You Start

  • Download the free Instagram app from the App Store or Google Play Store.
  • Ask your relative for their exact Instagram handle (e.g., @grandma_mary or @johnny_smith) so you follow the right person.

Liking or saving a photo does not send spam or post anything publicly. You can quietly enjoy family pictures without posting any photos yourself.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. 1

    Open Instagram and tap the magnifying glass search icon

    Tap the Instagram app icon on your home screen. At the bottom of the screen, tap the small magnifying glass icon to open the search bar.

    👀 Magnifying glass icon along bottom navigation bar.

  2. 2

    Search for your family member's username and tap "Follow"

    Type their username into the top search bar. Tap their profile photo from the list, then tap the blue "Follow" button. If their profile is private, a "Requested" button will appear until they approve you.

    👀 Blue "Follow" button on profile page.

    3. ✅ Success Checkpoint: You're Doing Great

    If your screen matches the description above, you have followed the steps correctly. Continue to the next step.

  3. 3

    Tap profile photos with a pink ring to view "Stories"

    When you see a colorful pink ring around a friend's profile picture at the top of your feed, tap it once. This displays short photo clips or videos they posted in the last 24 hours. Tap the left or right side of the screen to go back or forward.

    👀 Row of circular profile photos at top with pink rings.

  4. 4

    Set your account to "Private" for maximum safety

    Tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner, tap the three lines in the top right, select "Account Privacy," and switch the toggle next to "Private Account" to ON (green). This blocks strangers from seeing your details.

    👀 Toggle switch labeled "Private Account" switched ON.

  5. 5

    Ignore and delete suspicious direct messages (DMs)

    If you receive a direct message from someone saying "I lost my account, please send me a code" or offering free money, DO NOT respond. Tap the paper airplane / chat icon in the top right, swipe left on the message, and tap "Delete."

    👀 Paper airplane chat icon in upper right corner.

If You Don't See It / Troubleshooting

If you see an advertisement while scrolling through photos...

Simply swipe past it with your finger. Ads will have a small "Sponsored" label under the account name. You do not need to tap or buy anything.

Good to Know

  • Double-tapping a photo quickly puts a "Heart" (Like) on it to let your relative know you saw their picture.
  • Private accounts require you to approve anyone who wants to follow you.