Protecting Minors & OnlyFans: Adam Mosseri (Instagram) Explains New Rules in This Week’s FAQ (18 Oct 2025)
This week, Instagram Head Adam Mosseri, used his weekly Q&A session to address some hot topics. On the agenda: a clarification on OnlyFans creators’ visibility, new rules designed to protect teenagers, and an early look at Instagram’s future navigation layout.
As every week, we’ve broken down his answers to help you stay ahead of the latest Instagram updates.
Adam Mosseri’s Weekly FAQ — Highlights
Here’s a summary of the key questions asked and the responses from Instagram’s head of platform.
1. What is the new navigation you mentioned?
Instagram is currently testing a new, optional interface.
The main navigation bar has been reorganised:
- Reels move to the second position.
- Direct Messages (DMs) now sit in the centre.
- The Share button has been moved to the top left.
Users will also be able to swipe between tabs to navigate the app.
2. Do parents need to update anything for their teens?
No action is required. Instagram is rolling out new content policies for teenagers (in Canada, the US, Australia, and the UK).
These new “PG-13 style” protections — inspired by movie classifications — will apply automatically over the next few months.
3. What’s the difference between “reposting” and “sharing to Story”?
They’re two separate distribution channels:
- Repost: shares the post to your followers’ main feed.
- Share to Story: adds the post to your personal Story, visible for 24 hours.
It’s a reminder of the ongoing debate — Reels vs Stories.
4. Can you disable comments after posting?
Yes.
Open the post, tap the three dots in the top-right corner, and select “Turn off comments.”
5. Will there be more “Rings” (creator rewards) next year?
The Rings programme remains exclusive — only 25 creators have been rewarded this year.
Mosseri said keeping it limited helps maintain its value, though the team will review feedback before expanding it next year.
6. Does Instagram block OnlyFans creators?
No — but an important clarification was made.
Under new teen protection policies (PEGI-13 equivalent), underage accounts will no longer see profiles that actively promote OnlyFans content.
The goal: prevent Instagram from being used as a marketing tool for adult material, aligning with the platform’s commitment to create a safer experience for younger users.
7. Why is music in Reels limited to 90 seconds?
It’s a legal issue.
Instagram’s licensing agreements with record labels only allow up to 90 seconds of music per Reel.
8. Can both likes and comments be turned off?
Yes, both option exist.
Before posting, under Advanced Settings, you can toggle both “Hide like count” and “Turn off comments.”
9. Any solution for Stories showing up white (bug)?
Mosseri said he wasn’t aware of this specific issue but promised to ask his team to investigate.
10. Can users better manage comment notifications?
Yes — in detail.
Instagram’s notification settings are now highly granular, allowing users to select exactly which types of notifications they want to receive.
Key Takeaways This Week
Two main trends emerge from Mosseri’s answers:
1️⃣ Stronger protection for minors.
Between the new “PG-13” policies and the clarification on OnlyFans visibility, Instagram is clearly tightening its stance on teen safety.
2️⃣ User control remains a core focus.
From comment moderation to like counts and notifications, Instagram continues to expand tools that let users personalise their experience.
Lastly, the new navigation test confirms what’s already clear:
Instagram’s interface is constantly evolving to match the way people actually use the app today.
