Instagram Updates: What School Leaders Need to Know

In the past few months, Instagram has introduced two updates that could affect school leaders, staff, and students. Here’s what to watch for and how to utilize a new safety partnership.

Instagram Map: Check Your Privacy Settings

At the end of July 2025, Instagram launched a new Map feature that allows users to share their last active location with selected friends. Location sharing is disabled by default; however, once it is enabled, it updates automatically whenever the app is open, whether at home, on vacation, or during off-hours.

This feature raises significant privacy and safety concerns for school administrators, communications staff, and other public-facing leaders, especially if personal locations could be visible to others.

Our Recommendations

• Double-check your Instagram privacy settings, and check them regularly.
• Keep location sharing off unless there’s a clear, intentional need.
• Remind staff, especially those managing school social media accounts, to review their settings as well.

School Partnership Program

Instagram is inviting U.S. middle and high schools to join its School Partnership Program.

The National School Public Relations Association (NSPRA), in partnership with Consortium for School Networking (CoSN), released a report highlighting the significant challenges K-12 institutions face on social media, particularly due to the lack of dedicated verification and streamlined reporting processes. These gaps make it harder for districts to respond quickly to harmful or misleading content.

The Instagram program addresses part of that gap by offering:

• Prioritized reporting: harmful content and accounts flagged by your school are reviewed faster.
• Educational resources: ready-to-use materials for parents, students, and staff.
• Profile banner: a visible sign that your school is an official Instagram partner.

Schools sign up via a waitlist, and once verified, gain direct access to faster safety response and additional resources.

As social media features evolve rapidly, district leaders must stay ahead of both the opportunities and the risks. We encourage you to:

1. Review your personal and district account settings with your communications team.

2. Train staff, especially those managing official accounts, on these updates and their implications.

3. Explore partnership opportunities like Instagram’s School Partnership Program.

4. Partner with experts — CEL works alongside school districts to navigate these changes, strengthen digital safety practices, and develop strategies that protect your students, staff, and community.

Staying ahead of the curve involves more than just avoiding risks; it’s about building a safer and more informed online presence for your district. If you would like assistance with reviewing your social media strategy or implementing these tools, please connect with CEL to see how we can collaborate effectively.