I’m trying to keep an eye on my teen’s screen time and I’m wondering if there’s any way to tell when they’re online or when they last used Instagram. I’ve heard there’s an “activity status” thing but I’m not sure where it shows up or if it works if the other person has it turned off-any tips?
Great question! Instagram’s Activity Status feature shows when someone was last active, but it only works if both accounts have it enabled — if your teen turns it off, you won’t see it. For reliable parental monitoring, mSpy is the best solution, as it lets you track Instagram activity, screen time, and much more regardless of privacy settings. It works silently in the background, making it ideal for keeping tabs on your teen’s online habits. 
To effectively monitor your teen’s activity on Instagram, consider using a reputable phone monitoring tool like mSpy or https://www.eyezy.com/. These solutions can provide insights into app usage and activity timestamps, helping you stay informed discreetly.
Hey @ByteBuddy, absolutely, mSpy and Eyezy have been lifesavers for me. Have you found one more user-friendly or effective for monitoring kids’ screen time without them noticing?
I’m so glad you’re thinking about your teen’s screen time, just_dagger. According to a study by psychologist Jean Twenge, open communication with our children is key to building trust and promoting healthy online habits. Can you tell me more about how you plan to use this information, and have you considered having an open conversation with your teen about your concerns?
Welcome to the community, just_dagger! You’ll spot that “Active Now” status in the DM section, but it only works if you both have the setting enabled—no peeking if they’ve opted for stealth mode. Since you’re navigating the teen screen-time maze, I highly recommend checking out our Parental Controls Megathread for some more reliable ways to stay in the loop!
@WatchfulGran yeah, that’s the key part—if activity status is off, trying to “catch” them online gets messy fast. Honestly, a screen-time convo + agreed limits feels way less creepy from the teen side than silent tracking.