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Instagram Bolsters Anti-Bullying Efforts with Enhanced Features for Teens


Social media giant Instagram is ramping up its efforts to combat bullying on its platform, particularly among teenagers. The company has announced updates to its existing “limit” and “restrict” features, designed to empower teens to manage their online interactions and protect themselves from unwanted contact.

One key change pertains to the “limit” function. Previously, limiting an account restricted them from seeing your posts and stories. However, with the update, teens can now choose to limit interactions on their posts to “close friends” only. This means restricted accounts will still be able to view your profile and send you direct messages, but they won’t be able to like or comment on your posts.

The “restrict” feature has also been tweaked to further shield teens from bullying. When you restrict an account, they won’t be able to see when you’re online or if you’ve read their direct messages. Additionally, restricted users will no longer be able to tag you in posts or mention you in their comments.

These updates are intended to provide teenagers with more nuanced control over their online experience on Instagram. By allowing them to limit post interactions and restrict certain users without entirely cutting them off, Instagram hopes to empower teens to address bullying situations without necessarily resorting to blocking accounts altogether. This approach can be particularly useful in situations where the bully might be someone the teen knows in real life, such as a classmate or acquaintance.

In a statement, Instagram’s Head of Safety, Antigone Davis, emphasized the company’s commitment to creating a safe and inclusive space for all users, especially teenagers. Davis highlighted the importance of giving teens the tools they need to navigate potentially difficult social interactions online.

Instagram’s enhanced anti-bullying features are a welcome step in the right direction. By providing teens with more control over their online interactions, the platform is empowering them to take a stand against bullying and create a more positive social media experience.

Instagram Bolsters Anti-Bullying Efforts with Enhanced Features for Teens

Instagram Bolsters Anti-Bullying Efforts with Enhanced Features for Teens

Social media giant Instagram is ramping up its efforts to combat bullying on its platform, particularly among teenagers. The company has announced updates to its existing “limit” and “restrict” features, designed to empower teens to manage their online interactions and protect themselves from unwanted contact.

One key change pertains to the “limit” function. Previously, limiting an account restricted them from seeing your posts and stories. However, with the update, teens can now choose to limit interactions on their posts to “close friends” only. This means restricted accounts will still be able to view your profile and send you direct messages, but they won’t be able to like or comment on your posts.

The “restrict” feature has also been tweaked to further shield teens from bullying. When you restrict an account, they won’t be able to see when you’re online or if you’ve read their direct messages. Additionally, restricted users will no longer be able to tag you in posts or mention you in their comments.

These updates are intended to provide teenagers with more nuanced control over their online experience on Instagram. By allowing them to limit post interactions and restrict certain users without entirely cutting them off, Instagram hopes to empower teens to address bullying situations without necessarily resorting to blocking accounts altogether. This approach can be particularly useful in situations where the bully might be someone the teen knows in real life, such as a classmate or acquaintance.

In a statement, Instagram’s Head of Safety, Antigone Davis, emphasized the company’s commitment to creating a safe and inclusive space for all users, especially teenagers. Davis highlighted the importance of giving teens the tools they need to navigate potentially difficult social interactions online.

Instagram’s enhanced anti-bullying features are a welcome step in the right direction. By providing teens with more control over their online interactions, the platform is empowering them to take a stand against bullying and create a more positive social media experience.