., click here to enter for a chance to win one of our many gift cards we are giving away.

Learn more

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

Finstagram: What Parents Should Know

., you're logged in!
Enjoy this resource and share our programs with your school district to send these resources to your whole community
Tell Your School District About Our Program
., you're logged in!
Share this resource with a parent at .  (or visit our new sharing center)
Copy Share Link
., you're logged in!
Enjoy this demo pass. Click the button to share access with leaders in your school district (or visit our new sharing center)
Share Your Demo Pass With School District Leaders

Become a member or login to learn more on this topic

Superintendents, Directors and Principals: Request a partnership on this page to unlock our resources for your whole community.
April 20, 2020

What is Finstagram?

  • Finstagram (also called “Finsta” or "Spam") is a fake or secondary Instagram account
  • It’s meant for an intimate audience, usually a small group of friends
  • Some reasons students open a Finsta, along with their real Instagrams (“Rinstagrams”) include:
  • Sharing silly posts with friends 
  • Hiding mischievous behavior from parents, schools, and employers
  • Sharing a different side of themselves (carefree, makeup-free, etc.)

Why should parents care?

  • Finsta profiles are often set to private
  • The usernames might be easily recognizable to friends, but not to parents and teachers
  • Teens can overestimate how private these accounts truly are, since anyone can take a screenshot
  • Students may be using their Finsta to hide bad or illegal behavior, such as: 
  • ~Bullying 
  • ~Sexually explicit photos
  • ~Underage drinking or drug use

Login or join the VIP membership today to view all resources about Finstagram!

Become a member or log in to learn more on this topic

Superintendents, Directors and Principals: Request a partnership on this page to unlock our resources for your whole community.
Quotation marks

This is great info, thanks for giving me some ideas on how to start a dialogue with my teen!

StarStarStarStarStar

Sharon M.

Parent VIP Member

Quotation marks

Josh's presentation about social media was unbelievably fantastic. Our students learned so much about what kids should and shouldn't be doing. The fact that it is such a thoughtful process made it all worthwhile.

StarStarStarStarStar

Director of College Advising

Educator Webinar Attendee

Quotation marks

This webinar is a very helpful eye-opener on the apps that are popular with my students.

StarStarStarStarStar

Irene C.

Educator Webinar Attendee

Finstagram: What Parents Should Know

., you're logged in!
Enjoy this resource and share our programs with your school district to send these resources to your whole community
Tell Your School District About Our Program
., you're logged in!
Share this resource with a parent at .  (or visit our new sharing center)
Copy Share Link
., you're logged in!
Enjoy this demo pass. Click the button to share access with leaders in your school district (or visit our new sharing center)
Share Your Demo Pass With School District Leaders

Some students are living a double digital life on Instagram. They have a profile friends and family members know about. They also have a second or third account, called a Finsta or Finstagram. Those accounts, and the different kinds of posts on them, might come as a surprise to parents. 

This guide breaks down everything parents need to know about Finstagram, so they can help keep their students safe online.

Parent & educator training video

TODAY news headline: Parents you follow your teen on Instagram, but do you know about their Finsta?
These [fake Instagram] accounts usually are associated with a clever pseudonym and bio line, different than their real Instagram (what they refer to as "Rinsta"). The accounts are locked, or set to private, so that audiences are more exclusive. Some teens have multiple Finstas, a way to connect with different friend groups. TODAY

What is Finstagram?

  • Finstagram (also called “Finsta” or "Spam") is a fake or secondary Instagram account
  • It’s meant for an intimate audience, usually a small group of friends
  • Some reasons students open a Finsta, along with their real Instagrams (“Rinstagrams”) include:
  • Sharing silly posts with friends 
  • Hiding mischievous behavior from parents, schools, and employers
  • Sharing a different side of themselves (carefree, makeup-free, etc.)

This is what a Finsta looks like

Finstagram example on NY Post
Finstagram vs. Instagram example from NYPost.com

Finstagram helps relieve “the pressures of perfection,” according to BBC News

BBC News headline: Why Generation Z are choosing 'Finsta' over "insta'
Public Instagrams are much more serious, it is the first impression of you that everyone will have… With your Finsta you don't have to care about that. It's private, if it's a bad photo of you or an inside joke, you're happy with who can see it. BBC News

Instagram is trying to combat Finstas

9to5 mac headline: Instagram close friends feature provides official alternative to "finstagrams'
Teen girls in particular have been creating fake Instagram accounts – or ‘Finstagrams’ – to ensure their most sensitive content is shared only with those closest to them. By allowing users to restrict certain Stories to a select circle of friends, Instagram is hoping that fake accounts won’t be needed. 9to5Mac.com

Why should parents care?

  • Finsta profiles are often set to private
  • The usernames might be easily recognizable to friends, but not to parents and teachers
  • Teens can overestimate how private these accounts truly are, since anyone can take a screenshot
  • Students may be using their Finsta to hide bad or illegal behavior, such as: 
  • ~Bullying 
  • ~Sexually explicit photos
  • ~Underage drinking or drug use

What can parents do?

  • Be aware that the Instagram app allows 5 accounts per login
  • Ask your students if they (or their friends) have a second Instagram account
  • Talk with your students about appropriate online behavior

What else can parents do?

  • Tell students that “private” photos can still go viral
  • Remind your students that their Finstagram friends still can take screenshots of their pictures to share with others
  • Teach your students that they can be silly and fun on their “real” Instagram accounts and don’t need a Finstagram to show off their fun side
  • Get informed about the latest apps and social media trends by signing up for our free newsletter
  • Become a Smart Social VIP (Very Informed Parent) Member and take this workshop, with your student: How to Set Up Instagram for a Positive Impact

Learn more about Instagram with the VIP program

Conclusion

Not all Finstagrams are filled with inappropriate content. Still, parents should be aware of every social media account their student has. It’s the best safety tool parents have to protect their kids online.

., now is your chance to earn 10 points towards a $5 Starbucks gift card by telling us what you learned in this resource!
To earn your gift card, please be specific and write a full sentence that helps us learn what you liked about the topic. Our non-profit uses this information to improve our program.

40 characters remaining to reach minimum

Your submission has been received! You now have additional points added to your account.

If you are in a live event, please comment "I filled out the form!" in the live event chat box!

Otherwise you are free to roam around the site.
Thanks!
-Josh and The SmartSocial Team
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
School Districts: Request a partnership on this page to unlock our resources for your whole community.

What is Finstagram?

  • Finstagram (also called “Finsta” or "Spam") is a fake or secondary Instagram account
  • It’s meant for an intimate audience, usually a small group of friends
  • Some reasons students open a Finsta, along with their real Instagrams (“Rinstagrams”) include:
  • Sharing silly posts with friends 
  • Hiding mischievous behavior from parents, schools, and employers
  • Sharing a different side of themselves (carefree, makeup-free, etc.)

Why should parents care?

  • Finsta profiles are often set to private
  • The usernames might be easily recognizable to friends, but not to parents and teachers
  • Teens can overestimate how private these accounts truly are, since anyone can take a screenshot
  • Students may be using their Finsta to hide bad or illegal behavior, such as: 
  • ~Bullying 
  • ~Sexually explicit photos
  • ~Underage drinking or drug use

Login or join the VIP membership today to view all resources about Finstagram!

Become a member or log in to learn more on this topic

Superintendents, Directors and Principals: Request a partnership on this page to unlock our resources for your whole community.
Quotation marks

This is great info, thanks for giving me some ideas on how to start a dialogue with my teen!

StarStarStarStarStar

Sharon M.

Parent VIP Member

Quotation marks

Josh's presentation about social media was unbelievably fantastic. Our students learned so much about what kids should and shouldn't be doing. The fact that it is such a thoughtful process made it all worthwhile.

StarStarStarStarStar

Director of College Advising

Educator Webinar Attendee

Quotation marks

This webinar is a very helpful eye-opener on the apps that are popular with my students.

StarStarStarStarStar

Irene C.

Educator Webinar Attendee

Learn more

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

Join Our Next Live Parent Q&A Events (And earn a $5 Starbucks gift card)*

Nov
19
Register

Disappearing Messages: Hidden Dangers Parents Need to Know

Understand the hidden risks behind disappearing messages and learn practical strategies to protect and guide your teen’s digital behavior.

Nov
21
Register

AI for Student Success: Being Productive & Learning Future Skills

This virtual parent night event will explore the fascinating world of AI and the role it can have in every student's educational journey and future career paths.

Dec
03
Register

Optimize Parental Controls Without Invading Your Student's Privacy

Understand how to set up parental controls and monitor your students without being intrusive.

Dec
10
Register

Optimize Parental Controls Without Invading Your Student's Privacy

Understand how to set up parental controls and monitor your students without being intrusive.

Dec
12
Register

Protecting Your Family With A Social Media Agreement

Learn how to set up a Family Media Agreement for your entire family in order to keep your family safer with technology and social media.

Jan
14
Register

How To Shine Online With Your Social Media Accounts

Learn how students can use their social media accounts to help them Shine Online and better their future.

*Only for families in partner school districts or individual paid VIP members: to receive a gift card, simply attend the live event, join in the activities, and your family will be eligible to earn one gift card per year (while supplies last).

Become a Very Informed Parent (VIP) to get our social media suggestions in your email every Tuesday & Thursday.

Dotted arrow to right
Learn about our
"Very Informed Parent" 
VIP Program
Right arrow
Hello, I'm Josh, the founder of SmartSocial.com. Protect your family by taking my 1 minute quiz

This quiz will help you understand how safe your family is

Take Josh's 1 Min Quiz
Right arrow
Smart Social Logo

Schools & Districts: Partner with us to protect your community online

Our remote presentations (and website) teach over a million students each year how to shine online. We teach students how their accounts can be used to create a portfolio of positive accomplishments that impress colleges and employers.

Partner with SmartSocial.com
Right arrow
Smart Social Logo
Join Our Smart Social Podcast
each week on iTunes

With over 240 episodes, Josh Ochs interviews psychologists, therapists, counselors, teachers, and parents while showing you how to navigate social media to someday shine online.

Listen on: