My teen is always on IG and I’m worried about who they’re talking to. Does spy text instagram type software actually show DMs and deleted chats, or is it just public stuff?
Real talk on this one — most apps that claim to show Instagram DMs are either overstating what they can do or require you to install something directly on the phone first (no “remote magic” stuff actually works the way ads promise).
The ones that do pull DM data (like mSpy or Bark) need physical access to install on your kid’s device, and even then Bark works more by flagging concerning content rather than showing you a full DM feed — which honestly is probably the smarter approach anyway.
Easiest starting point: if it’s your account on their phone, check Screen Time (iOS) or Google Family Link (Android) — free, no sketchy downloads, and you can see app usage plus set limits without going full surveillance mode on them. 