Cyberbullying is one of the most common and complex issues that social media platforms have to deal with. Therefore, Instagram is trying to find a comprehensive and effective solution to this problem by rolling out new tools to protect its users from becoming victims of online bullying.
Instagram has announced two new features to help combat abuse. One of them should prevent you from receiving abusive direct messages from users you don’t follow, and the other one should protect you from getting contacted by a blocked user from a new account.
Filter Your DM Request Inbox With the Hidden Words Feature
Many Instagram users have received abusive messages from accounts that they don’t follow. Since it’s nearly impossible that one of your friends has sent you a bullying DM, Instagram decided to minimize the chance of getting bullied by people that are not on your Followers/Following list.
Together with top anti-discrimination and anti-bullying organizations, Instagram launched a new feature called Hidden Words. In a post on the Instagram Blog, the company claims that this feature is "designed to help protect you from potentially offensive or abusive DM requests, while also respecting your privacy."
To turn on this feature, either open the Instagram app or head to the official Instagram site and log into your account. Then head to Settings > Privacy and toggle on Hidden Words.
Now, whenever someone sends you a DM request containing offensive content, it will be added to a special folder with hidden message requests. So it will be up to you to choose whether you want to ignore such a message or open it.
Instagram is planning to roll out the Hidden Words feature over the next few weeks in selected countries. Other users should receive this feature within the next few months.
Ensure That the Person You’ve Blocked Doesn’t Contact You Again
The process of blocking an Instagram account is pretty straightforward. However, that won’t prevent that person from reaching out to you from a new account.
With the new feature, you’ll have the chance to decide whether you wish to block just the account or also new accounts created by that person.
This feature should become available for all Instagram users over the next few weeks from the date of publication.
Instagram Continues to Make Its Platform Safer
Stopping bullying on Instagram or on any other social media platform is a complicated and lengthy process. But since Instagram is creating new features to combat such an issue, there is a great chance that this particular social media platform will become a safer place sooner rather than later.