May 28th, 2018: Instagram has introduced a new filter which detects and filters out abusive and harassing comments that are posted in reply to photographs and videos posted on this social media platform. Instagram also plans to review accounts that repetitively post filtered out comments and take appropriate measures including suspending them.
The initiative comes following a study conducted in 2017 by the anti-bullying organization Ditch the Label which found that over 71% of the individuals surveyed stated that social media does not do enough to curb bullying and harassment online. The numbers are especially concerning when it comes to Instagram with 42% of individuals between the ages of 12 and 20 stating that they have been bullied or harassed on this particular social media platform in the last 12 months.
Two prominent cases of bullying on Instagram were brought to light recently, one involving model and actress Amber Rose and one involving Drew Barrymore. Amber Rose in March of this year called out cyberbullies for posting bullying comments under a video she posted of her son opening a gift from Taylor Swift. Drew Barrymore was this year target of online abuse after posting a short video of herself holding a starfish. The post went from being about lipstick to animal abuse. Drew Barrymore said in a subsequent post “If you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”
The filter that Instagram has introduced is a machine-learning algorithm developed by Facebook, which owns Instagram, that detects certain words and reviews them for context and meaning, flagging the post if it fits criteria of abuse and bullying.
Instagram is taking online bullying and abuse, often mistakenly justified as “freedom of speech”, very seriously. “To be clear, we don’t tolerate bullying on Instagram,” Kevin Systrom, the company’s chief executive and co-founder. He added “Protecting our youngest community members is crucial to helping them feel comfortable to express who they are and what they care about”.
Instagram is also promoting a “kindness” campaign by hosting events that promote inclusion and diversity. “It’s been our goal to make it a safe place for self expression and to foster kindness within the community,” Mr. Systrom said. “This update is just the next step in our mission to deliver on that promise.”
You can also report bullying and harassment on Instagram by visiting the following link.
A Charitable Direction 