Instagram now adds Anonymous reporting of Live videos and comment control tools.
After Instagram announced that it had crossed 800 monthly active users today, it has now announced a host of tools and features to shelter users from abuse or harassment. The company has been proactively adding security and users enhancement tools since June this year when it committed to make the social media platform safe for users.
Being on social media can make the user vulnerable to abuse or cyber harassment, and Instagram users have not been exempted from it. With new tools, community-focused initiatives, and global programs Instagram takes a step further in order to ensure positivity and safe place for self-expression. Instagram now logs 500 million daily active users, and co-founder Kevin Systrom says, “It’s more important than ever to strengthen our commitment to safety and kindness.”
These new features include Comment Controls, #KindComments murals, Kindness stickers, and Anonymous Reporting for Live Video. Here is what these new initiatives mean.
Improved Comment Controls
In June 2017, Instagram added Spam Filter tool for users to block offensive comments. It looks for any obvious spam in comments, and subsequently blocks it from your posts and live videos. Initially limited to only English keywords, the company has now extended the filter to other languages like Arabic, French, German, and Portuguese. You can access these tools by going to the Settings -> Comments, and choose from Automatic Filter or Manual Filter. ALSO READ: Instagram’s small new update brings a big new change to the Stories feature
For public accounts, Instagram now allows users to choose who can comment on their posts, from everyone to just groups of people, like people you follow or your followers. Whereas, private accounts users on Instagram can now block accounts from commenting on posts.
Anonymous Reporting of accounts in Instagram Live Video
Instagram has been vocal about community members going through depression and other mental issues. In order to tackle them, it has launched several initiatives asking users to report accounts of individuals whom they suspect are suicidal or suffering from such issues. Now, extending the support, Instagram is asking users to report any such individual if they come across any, during a live broadcast. The company allows you to anonymously report of such cases. ALSO READ: Instagram now adds face filters within live videos
Once an individual or account is reported, the person will receive a message from the Instagram team offering help with options to talk to a helpline, reach out to a friend or get other tips and support. Users can report by clicking on the three dots in the comments bar which appears at the bottom of the screen during an Instagram Live.
#KindComments Murals and Kindness Stickers
Further, the social media has joined hands with artists in the local communities hailing from in New York, Dallas, Chicago, Washington, DC, Mexico City, Jakarta, Tokyo, and other global regions. These artist will be creating murals which Instagram dubs as Kindness Mural, to promote positivity across the platform. ALSO READ: Instagram reportedly testing feature that can post Stories directly on Facebook
Instagram will also be hosting #KindComment event in Mumbai, India. The event is slated for November 2017, and more details are expected to be announced soon. As per the official announcement, Instagram with community members will feature a #kindcomments hashtag across the walls of said cities to encourage people offline to take a photo or video and share it online with a kind comment. You can also participate by using a new kindness-themed heart-shaped sticker created by artists from local communities.