Why Is Instagram Asking for My Birthday?

If you’ve recently opened your Instagram to find that you’ve been locked out until you provide the app with your birth date, you’re not alone. Instagram has made it mandatory to enter this piece of information to keep using the app.

Why adding your birthday is necessary, why the app is asking for it repeatedly, and what to do in case of an error – stick around to find out.

Why Do They Want my Birthday?

Instagram has always had a minimum age requirement. But while no one checked your birth certificate back in the day to ensure you’ve indeed hit the mark, the story is a bit different today. This photo-sharing social media platform has undergone significant changes in the past few years, and additional safety features have been introduced.

In August 2021, the platform announced that it would require each user to input their birth date if they wish to continue using Instagram. The primary reason for this step is to protect younger users.

According to Instagram’s Terms of Service, you must be at least 13 years old to use the app. When you enter your birth date, Instagram will calculate your age, and your account will be banned if you’re under 13. Instagram has also implemented some safety measures to make the platform safer for underage users. For instance, if your birth date suggests that you’re under 16 when you register for Instagram, your account will automatically be private. Instagram also restricts adults from messaging underage users that don’t follow them.

But Instagram doesn’t only use your age to protect you from other users. This information is required to protect young Instagrammers’ information as well. Advertisers will only be able to target underage users based on a limited amount of data.

Why Is Instagram Asking for My Birthday All the Time

Instagram is striving to make the app a safe space for underage users. In order to do so, it requires users to enter their birth date for confirmation. Although you may be able to skip the prompt a few times, giving Instagram your birth date isn’t optional. So long as you don’t enter your information, the app will keep asking you for it repeatedly. There isn’t much you can do about this but add your birth date to your profile.

If you don’t want the prompt to bother you again, you can go to your profile settings to enter your birthday.

1. Open Instagram and tap your profile icon in the bottom right corner.
   
2. Select “Edit Profile” under your bio.
   
3. Find “Personal Information Settings” near the bottom.
   
4. Tap “Birthday,” and you’ll be able to enter your date of birth.
   

Saving your birthday to your profile should stop Instagram from asking for it in the future.

Why Is Instagram Asking for My Birthday Every Time I Open the App

Instagram has introduced some age-related safety features to keep underage users and their data more secure. Therefore, the app requires all users to enter their birth dates.

When you see the “Add your birthday” popup, you can dismiss it by tapping “Not Now.” However, this will only fix the problem temporarily, and the prompt will come back again the next time you open the app. You can only dismiss it so many times before you won’t have the option anymore. Failing to give Instagram your birth date will result in an account ban. Therefore, the only way to stop the app from pestering you with this request is to enter the required information.

You don’t have to wait for the popup to add your birth date to your profile. Find the option in your profile settings in the following way.

1. Go to your Instagram profile.
   
2. Press the “Edit Profile” button.
   
3. Tap “Personal Information Settings.”
   
4. You can enter your date of birth under the “Birthday” section.
   

Instagram Asking for My Birthday Error

If you’ve already entered your birthday on Instagram but ran into an error, you could lose your account due to an unfortunate sequence of events. Generally, there are two common errors users face. One of them lets the user know there was an error in the saving process, while the other bans the user from their account even though they are above the age requirement. Let’s see what to do about each problem.

Instagram Birthday Error

Did you see a message that says, “An unexpected error occurred” when you entered your birthday on Instagram? If yes – check your Facebook profile. If your Instagram and Facebook accounts are connected, your birth date on the two platforms must correspond. You might have made an error when you entered your birth date on Facebook, hence the Instagram error.

To find your birthday on Facebook, follow these steps.

1. Open the Facebook app and go to your profile.
   
2. Find “See Your About Info” under your details.
   
3. Your birthday will be under the “Basic info” section.
   

Make sure you enter the same date on Instagram, and the error will go away. You can also change your birthday on Facebook to the one you entered into Instagram, which will automatically sync them and resolve the issue.

You’re Not Old Enough to Use Instagram Error

If you see an error message saying “You’re Not Old Enough to Use Instagram” after entering your data, Instagram will ban your account. If this is a mistake and you’re above the age requirement, you can appeal to Instagram to regain access. Here are the steps.

1. Tap the “Appeal” button under the error message.
   
2. Instagram will ask you for some personal information. Fill in the fields and attach an image of your ID to verify your age.
3. Submit the form and wait for an email from Instagram.

Additional FAQ

Can I remove my birthday from Instagram?

Once you’ve added your birthday to your Instagram, you won’t be able to remove it. However, you can modify it a few times if you’ve made a mistake or want to change it for any other reason.

Can others see my birthday on Instagram?

No – your birthday isn’t public on Instagram. The app only uses this information to provide you with an age-appropriate experience.

Can I edit my birthday on Instagram?

Yes, you can edit your birthday on Instagram by going to your profile page, then pressing “Edit Profile.” However, keep in mind that you can only edit this piece of information a limited number of times. The app will also block you from changing it if you’ve recently modified it.

Why Is Instagram Asking for My Birthday – Solved!

Instagram has legitimate reasons to ask you for your birthday. It will also do so repeatedly until you finally enter the requested information. However, giving the app this data will only boost your user experience and protect younger users, so there’s no reason to worry.

What do you think about Instagram’s new age-related policies? Should other apps introduce similar measures? Let us know in the comments section below.