How to Unblock Instagram at School in 2024: Access Social Media on a School Computer

Key Takeaways: How to Unblock Instagram on School Computers

To unblock Instagram on school computers, sign up for NordVPN by going to its website and grabbing a 73% discounted plan.
Download and install the VPN, and connect to a server. You should now be able to access Instagram.
Aside from VPNs, other ways to unblock Instagram include using proxy servers, a smart DNS, the Tor Browser or Google Translate.

Facts & Expert Analysis: Unblocking Instagram at School

Instagram has educational value: Some Instagram accounts provide knowledge and resources that can benefit students. Notable examples include NASA, National Geographic and Edutopia. Some schools also run their own Instagram accounts offering helpful resources to students.
Three simple rules: Instagram asks that you follow “three simple rules” to protect your account from scammers: slow down and consider the request, spot-check to see if the request is true, and don’t send payments or personal information.
Read your school’s internet policy: Many schools have an internet usage policy that spells out the do’s and don’ts of using their WiFi while specifying restricted websites. You can find the policy within your school’s website or handbook, or you can ask the school’s administration.

Best VPN to Unblock Instagram at School

Chances are, your school’s WiFi network doesn’t allow access to Instagram and other social media sites, likely to reduce distractions. However, if you need Instagram for educational purposes, there’s a workaround: a virtual private network (VPN). In this article, we’ll show you how to use a VPN to unblock Instagram.

There are many other ways to unblock Instagram at school, including using a proxy, a smart DNS, Tor Browser, Google Translate or mobile data. However, if you want to use your school’s network, a VPN is the most efficient way — it encrypts your traffic while maintaining your internet speeds, and you can activate it within seconds of starting up your device.

All you have to do is download and install a VPN, and connect to a VPN server. Based on our research and tests, the best VPN for unblocking Instagram is NordVPN. It offers a large server network, fast speeds and excellent security features. This article provides a step-by-step guide, troubleshooting tips and other details on accessing Instagram.

Meet the experts

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Wisdom Sablah (Writer)

Wisdom Sablah is a VPN expert with a rich background in evaluating virtual private networks, emphasizing online privacy and internet security. His comprehensive knowledge in encryption and cybersecurity has been showcased in numerous VPN reviews and comparison guides. Apart from his work at Cloudwards, he has contributed to prominent platforms like TechRadar and VPN Overview, focusing on aspects such as secure browsing, anonymity online, and geo-restriction circumvention. Wisdom holds a BSc. in Mathematics and a certification in Content Marketing, equipping him with the analytical skills to assess VPN-related matters like remote access, IP masking, bandwidth throttling prevention and Wi-Fi security.

More about Wisdom Sablah

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Samuel Chapman (Writer, Editor)

Samuel Chapman is a seasoned writer and editor at Cloudwards, with over four years of experience in online security, privacy protection and VPN-related content. His expertise lies in breaking down complex cybersecurity concepts, such as data encryption and internet anonymity, into clear, accessible narratives. Samuel’s work is characterized by a deep understanding of network security, IP masking and the nuances of various VPN protocols. Holding a BA in Environmental Studies and an MFA in Creative Writing, Samuel combines critical thinking and creative problem-solving to deliver compelling VPN content, ensuring secure browsing for a broad audience.

More about Samuel Chapman

Learn more about our editorial team and our research process.

10/24/2024 Facts checked

We rewrote the article to focus on providing actionable tips to the reader.
updates

How to Unblock Instagram at School With a VPN

Using a VPN provider to unblock Instagram might violate your school’s policy. At Cloudwards, we don’t endorse using a VPN in contravention of your school’s policies. We recommend consulting your school’s internet policy or a teacher before using a VPN to access blocked sites.

To unblock Instagram with a VPN, download and install your preferred VPN, connect to a server and open Instagram. Below, we’ll flesh out the steps with annotated images. These steps apply to other VPNs, but we’ll use NordVPN — the best VPN — for this example. We’ve also got a list of the best VPNs for Instagram with more recommendations.

Download and Install a VPN

On a mobile device, visit your device’s app store to search for, download and install the VPN you want. On a computer, you can download the VPN’s installation package from its website. Follow the installation prompts to set up the VPN. NordVPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee you can use to test it with Instagram.
Connect to a VPN Server

Open the downloaded VPN app and connect to a server. Usually, you can do that in two ways: clicking the “connect” button to automatically connect to the fastest server, or searching for a specific server using the search bar.
Open Instagram

Log in to your Instagram app and start using your Instagram feed as normal. Sharing reels, sending messages, and liking and commenting on posts should work exactly the same as usual.

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Why Use a VPN to Unblock Instagram?

A VPN is the safest and most efficient way to unblock Instagram. When you connect to a VPN server, it masks your real IP address and gives you a new one, changing your virtual location. This enables you to evade Instagram blocking systems that apply to your school building’s network.

A VPN is a safe option to unblock Instagram because it encrypts your VPN traffic, making it near-impossible for anyone to track your online activities back to you. Proxies and smart DNSes can also unblock Instagram in some cases, but they don’t encrypt your traffic, so you may get in trouble for breaking your school’s social media rules.

The same techniques that can unblock Instagram on a school network will also work on larger-scale blocks, even for national policies. See our article on how to unblock Instagram in Russia for a full explanation.

The Best VPNs for Unblocking Instagram

NordVPN is the best VPN to unblock Instagram, while Surfshark and ExpressVPN are excellent alternatives. Here’s why these three VPNs are better for unblocking Instagram compared to other services:

NordVPN: NordVPN is the best VPN on the market, with over 6,000 servers in 111 countries that can all unblock Instagram. It also offers fast speeds that have always given us a lag-free Instagram experience. See our NordVPN review for all the details.
Surfshark: Surfshark is a good option if you’re on a tight budget, thanks to its affordable long-term plans. It also offers unlimited simultaneous connections, enabling you to use one subscription for all your devices. Our Surfshark review has more information.
ExpressVPN: ExpressVPN is more expensive than NordVPN and Surfshark, but it’s a great option if money isn’t a concern. It offers excellent security and privacy features, including obfuscation on all servers, which is ideal for countries that restrict internet use. Learn more in our ExpressVPN review.

Can I Use a Free VPN to Access Instagram?

Yes, you can use a free VPN to unblock and access Instagram, but you should tread cautiously. Free VPNs might log and sell your data, or even worse, infect your device with malware.

If you need to use a free VPN, we recommend PrivadoVPN. It’s the best free VPN, as we illustrate in our PrivadoVPN review. It offers free access to servers in 11 countries. Proton VPN, which we cover in our Proton VPN review, is a good second choice.

VPN Not Working With Instagram: Troubleshooting Tips

Your VPN might not work with Instagram if you’re suffering from network issues or if the VPN malfunctions. Here are a few troubleshooting tips to help you access Instagram with a VPN.

Check your internet connection: Check if your internet connection (or school’s internet connection) is active and stable.
Change servers: The VPN server you’re using may not be able to unblock Instagram, or it might be facing challenges. Switch to another server to see if that solves the issue. You don’t even need to change locations — just disconnect and reconnect to get a new server.
Switch VPN protocols: Switching VPN protocols might let you access Instagram because some protocols are better at bypassing restrictive networks. Try OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2 and any unique protocols that your VPN offers.
Check firewall and antivirus settings: Review your device’s firewall settings and confirm that it doesn’t restrict VPN use. Be sure to check your antivirus settings as well to make sure it’s not blocking legitimate traffic.
Use obfuscation: Most VPNs have an obfuscation or stealth feature that makes your VPN traffic appear as regular internet traffic. Turn this on to bypass restrictive networks that block VPNs.

How to Unblock Instagram at School Without a VPN

Aside from a VPN, there are multiple ways to unblock Instagram, including using mobile data, a proxy, smart DNS, Tor Browser or Google Translate. Note that these methods have limitations and aren’t as reliable as a VPN service.

Use Mobile Data

Instead of using your school’s network, try switching to your mobile data. That way, you can access Instagram without fearing that your school authorities will penalize you. Of course, mobile data can be quite expensive, so it’s a good idea only if you need to check or download something from Instagram quickly.

Use a Proxy Server

A proxy server routes your internet traffic through an intermediary server before reaching the internet. The server will change your IP address so you can bypass network restrictions and access Instagram. Note that proxies generally don’t encrypt your traffic and can easily be blocked. If you want to use a proxy, explore our compilation of the best free proxies.

Try Smart DNS

When you attempt to open Instagram, the request will be routed through your school’s DNS server and will likely be blocked. However, a smart DNS will route your queries through its own servers, leaving your school in the dark. However, a smart DNS won’t encrypt your traffic, so network administrators can still view and block your activities.

Browse With Tor Browser

Short for “The Onion Router,” the Tor Browser is a special browser designed to access the Tor network. It routes user traffic through anonymous volunteer-run nodes, giving you a different IP address and possible access to Instagram. However, using Tor might raise suspicion among school authorities since it’s often used to access the dark web.

Try Google Translate

You can outwit your school’s network systems by entering Instagram’s URL into Google Translate. Your school’s network might think that the traffic is going to Google and not Instagram. However, this method offers a limited version of Instagram, and some features might not work as expected.

Convince Your School Authorities

If you need to use Instagram for a school-related project or assignment, we recommend asking your school’s authorities for permission. If you can convince them that you must use the platform for research or to download important files, you’ll get much more reliable access.

Why Is Instagram Blocked at School?

Schools block Instagram and other social media platforms to prevent students from being distracted from their academic work. Instagram provides a never-ending feed of pictures, videos and reels that can be highly addictive to young people. In addition, Instagram can easily be a tool for cyberbullying and accessing obscene content.

School Instagram blocks also appear in response to laws and conventions. For instance, the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) requires schools in the U.S. to restrict minors’ access to content that might be “harmful” to them. Schools get discounts for certain services when they adhere to that law.

Schools may filter sites like Instagram to keep their networks free of viruses and malware. Instagram is a hotspot for fake accounts, scammers and malicious actors who might use the platform for phishing campaigns and cyberattacks.

Can I Unblock Instagram on School Chromebooks & Computers?

Yes, you can unblock Instagram on school Chromebooks and computers, but you might face difficulties depending on the restrictions placed on the device. School devices will likely have app restrictions, so you might be unable to install a VPN or use a proxy to access Instagram and other blocked websites.

If you want to access Instagram while in school, we recommend using your own Chromebook or computer. That way, even when you’re connected to your school’s WiFi, you can download a VPN to bypass network restrictions and use Instagram. Another option is to ditch your school’s WiFi and use your mobile data.

Final Thoughts

If Instagram is blocked on your school’s WiFi, the best workaround is to use a VPN service. Simply download a VPN and connect to a server, which should allow you to use Instagram without struggle. We recommend NordVPN, thanks to its large server network, reliable unblocking ability and fast speeds.

Do you think your school authorities will “allowlist” Instagram temporarily if you seek their permission to use it for a project? Do you think schools should block Instagram in the first place? Which VPN would you use to unblock Instagram? Share your thoughts and experiences with us in the comments section below. As always, thanks for reading.

FAQ: Instagram Unblocked

The best way to unblock Instagram is to use a VPN. Download and install a VPN like NordVPN, and connect to a server; now Instagram should be accessible. Other ways of unblocking Instagram include using a proxy, Google Translate or a smart DNS.
You can unblock Instagram through methods other than a VPN, including using a proxy server, a smart DNS, the Tor Browser or Google Translate. Note that none of these methods are as efficient and secure as using a VPN.
You can get into trouble with your school’s authorities if you unblock Instagram when it’s against the school’s policy. We recommend that you check with your school to see if Instagram is permitted on its WiFi network, or use your own device’s mobile data.

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The post How to Unblock Instagram at School in 2024: Access Social Media on a School Computer appeared first on Cloudwards.

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