{"id":144802,"date":"2019-07-16T19:54:16","date_gmt":"2019-07-16T19:54:16","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/sftarticles.wpenginepowered.com\/en\/?p=144802"},"modified":"2025-07-01T21:40:50","modified_gmt":"2025-07-02T04:40:50","slug":"instagram-new-anti-bullying-features","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/instagram-new-anti-bullying-features\/","title":{"rendered":"Instagram tests new anti-bullying features"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-144845\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2021\/04\/700_cyper_bullying_lbvpvh.jpg\" alt=\"Cyber bullying\" width=\"700\" height=\"394\" \/><\/p>\n<p>In a recent blog post, <a href=\"https:\/\/instagram-press.com\/blog\/2019\/07\/08\/our-commitment-to-lead-the-fight-against-online-bullying\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Instagram reaffirmed its commitment to lead the fight against online bullying<\/a>. This isn\u2019t the first time we\u2019ve covered<a href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/instagram-clamps-down-on-bullying\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"> Instagram\u2019s efforts <\/a>and it is good to see the most aesthetically-minded of all the social networks taking efforts to protect its users against online abuse. <a href=\"http:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/how-to-stay-positive-when-social-media-brings-you-down\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mental health is fragile on social media<\/a> and Instagram users can often castigate themselves even before the bullies get a chance to.<\/p>\n<p>This is why it was refreshing to see Instagram <a href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/instagram-update-hidden-like-count\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">remove the &#8220;like&#8221; counter on posts<\/a>, which itself continued on from anti-bullying action it took back in October. This action\u00a0included introducing <strong>an AI algorithm that hunts out bullying sentiment and the promotion of anti-bullying campaigns across the network<\/strong>. So, with Instagram reaffirming this mission, let\u2019s have a look at the new actions the social network is promoting.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-card-program\">\r\n  <div class=\"sc-card-program__body\">\r\n    <div class=\"sc-card-program__row clearfix\">\r\n      <div class=\"sc-card-program__col-logo\">\r\n        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sc-card-program__img\" alt=\"Instagram\" src=\"https:\/\/instagram-brand.com\/wp-content\/themes\/ig-branding\/assets\/images\/ig-logo-email.png\" width=\"100px\" height=\"100px\">\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"sc-card-program__col-title\">\r\n        <span class=\"sc-card-program__title\">Instagram<\/span>\r\n        <a class=\"sc-card-program__button sc-card-program-internal\" href=\"https:\/\/instagram.en.softonic.com\/android\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Download Now \u25ba<\/a>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"sc-card-program__col-rating\">\r\n        <svg class=\"rating-score__content\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" version=\"1.1\" x=\"0\" y=\"0\" viewbox=\"0 0 50 50\" enable-background=\"new 0 0 50 50\" xml:space=\"preserve\"><path class=\"rating-score__background rating-score--good\" fill=\"none\" stroke-width=\"6\" stroke-miterlimit=\"10\" d=\"M40 40c8.3-8.3 8.3-21.7 0-30s-21.7-8.3-30 0 -8.3 21.7 0 30\"><\/path><path class=\"rating-score__value rating-score__value--70\" fill=\"none\" stroke-width=\"6\" stroke-dashoffset=\"70\" stroke-miterlimit=\"10\" d=\"M40 40c8.3-8.3 8.3-21.7 0-30s-21.7-8.3-30 0 -8.3 21.7 0 30\"><\/path><text class=\"rating-score__number\" content=\"7\" text-anchor=\"middle\" transform=\"matrix(1 0 0 1 25 31.0837)\" data-auto=\"app-user-score\">7<\/text><\/svg>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"sc-card-program__row\">\r\n      <span class=\"sc-card-program__description\"><\/span>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <div class=\"sc-card-program__row\">\r\n      <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sc-card-program__bigpic\" src=\"\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none'\">\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <a class=\"sc-card-program__link track-link sc-card-program-internal\" href=\"https:\/\/instagram.en.softonic.com\/android\" target=\"_self\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><\/a>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<h2>Instagram&#8217;s anti-bullying efforts<\/h2>\n<p>The first major feature uses the <strong>anti-bullying AI<\/strong> we mentioned earlier, and forces bullies to reconsider their potentially harmful actions. Whenever an Instagram user moves to post content that the AI flags as potentially offensive, Instagram will let them know and ask them if they\u2019re sure they want to post it.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-144804 aligncenter\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2021\/04\/Instagram_anti-bullying_features_screenshots_clht9p.jpg\" alt=\"Instagram screenshots\" width=\"700\" height=\"728\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/instagram-press.com\/blog\/2019\/07\/08\/our-commitment-to-lead-the-fight-against-online-bullying\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Instagram claims<\/a> that early tests of this feature, \u201c\u2026 have found that it encourages some people to undo their comment and share something less hurtful once they have had a chance to reflect.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Although this action might not sound like much, it is worth noting at this point that some bullies won\u2019t consider themselves to be bullies and might not even be aware that the comments they\u2019re making could be harmful to the person who is on the receiving end.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-card-starred-link\">\r\n  <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__body\">\r\n    <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__row clearfix\">\r\n      <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__col-logo\">\r\n        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sc-card-starred-link__img\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2017\/09\/Instagram-1-192.jpg\" width=\"100px\" height=\"100px\">\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__col-title\">\r\n        <p class=\"sc-card-starred-link__title\">Instagram guide for parents<\/p>\r\n        <a class=\"sc-card-starred-link__button\" href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/instagram-guide-for-parents\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer sponsored\">Read Now \u25ba<\/a>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <a class=\"sc-card-starred-link__link\" href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/instagram-guide-for-parents\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer sponsored\"><\/a>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<p>The second action Instagram has taken is a move to <strong>protect the victims of online bullying<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cRestrict\u201d gives users the chance to control the comments and posts that they have to interact with on Instagram without notifying any users whose content might fall under the limits of the new feature. This feature comes directly from feedback the social network has received from users, <a href=\"https:\/\/instagram-press.com\/blog\/2019\/07\/08\/our-commitment-to-lead-the-fight-against-online-bullying\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">who\u2019ve said<\/a>, \u201c\u2026 they\u2019re <strong>reluctant to block, unfollow, or report their bully because it could escalate the situation<\/strong>, especially if they interact with their bully in real life.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-144816\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2021\/04\/Instagram_anti-bullying_features_screenshots_1_ydce9g.jpg\" alt=\"anti-bullying screenshots\" width=\"700\" height=\"453\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Whenever a user restricts another user, their comments will remain visible to them as they always have done but the restrictor, or anybody else viewing the original post, will not be able to see them. The feature also gives the restrictor the power to make the restricted comments visible, should they be suitable. Another cool feature is that <strong>all users you\u2019ve restricted won\u2019t know when you\u2019re online or be able to see, if you\u2019ve read their direct messages.<\/strong><\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-card-starred-link\">\r\n  <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__body\">\r\n    <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__row clearfix\">\r\n      <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__col-logo\">\r\n        <img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sc-card-starred-link__img\" src=\"https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2019\/02\/mute-192.jpg\" width=\"100px\" height=\"100px\">\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"sc-card-starred-link__col-title\">\r\n        <p class=\"sc-card-starred-link__title\">You can now mute accounts on Instagram. Here\u2019s how.<\/p>\r\n        <a class=\"sc-card-starred-link__button\" href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/you-can-now-mute-accounts-on-instagram-heres-how\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer sponsored\">Read Now \u25ba<\/a>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <a class=\"sc-card-starred-link__link\" href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/you-can-now-mute-accounts-on-instagram-heres-how\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer sponsored\"><\/a>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n<h2>Wrapping up<\/h2>\n<p>Both of these features mark positive tools for Instagram users falling on both sides of the bullying relationship. Hopefully, over time their positive effect will become well-known with bullies making less hurtful comments and victims being able to control who sees anything negative said about them on any of their posts.<\/p>\n<div class=\"sc-related-articles-white\">\r\n<p class=\"sc-related-articles-white__title\">More about Mental Health<\/p>\r\n  <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__row\">\r\n    <a title=\"Social media worse for mental health than we thought \u25ba\" href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/social-media-worse-for-mental-health-than-we-thought\">\r\n    <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__article\">\r\n      <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__image\">\r\n        <div style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2018\/11\/phone-social-media-depression-192.jpg)\"><\/div>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__text\">\r\n        <p>Social media worse for mental health than we thought \u25ba<\/p>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <\/a>\r\n    <a title=\"Social media adds 24\/7 emotional burdens \u25ba\" href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/emotional-labor-social-media\">\r\n    <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__article\">\r\n      <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__image\">\r\n        <div style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2019\/02\/sad-depressed-192.jpg)\"><\/div>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__text\">\r\n        <p>Social media adds 24\/7 emotional burdens \u25ba<\/p>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <\/a>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n  <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__row\">\r\n    <a title=\"Instagram wrestles with mental health concerns \u25ba\" href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/instagram-mental-health\">\r\n    <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__article\">\r\n      <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__image\">\r\n        <div style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2019\/03\/sad-phone-depression-192.jpg)\"><\/div>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__text\">\r\n        <p>Instagram wrestles with mental health concerns \u25ba<\/p>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <\/a>\r\n    <a title=\"Top 7 mental health YouTubers \u25ba\" href=\"https:\/\/en.softonic.com\/articles\/best-youtube-channels-mental-health\">\r\n    <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__article\">\r\n      <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__image\">\r\n        <div style=\"background-image:url(https:\/\/articles-img.sftcdn.net\/sft\/articles\/auto-mapping-folder\/sites\/3\/2019\/03\/mental-health-192.jpg)\"><\/div>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n      <div class=\"sc-related-articles-white__text\">\r\n        <p>Top 7 mental health YouTubers \u25ba<\/p>\r\n      <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n    <\/a>\r\n  <\/div>\r\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Instagram now asks bullies if they\u2019re sure they want to post harmful content and offers new \u201cRestrict\u201d capabilities to users!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9073,"featured_media":144847,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","wpcf-pageviews":0},"categories":[1015],"tags":[1401,2354,1028,1051,1035],"usertag":[],"vertical":[],"content-category":[],"class_list":["post-144802","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-ai","tag-app-subdomain-redirectioninstagram","tag-health","tag-instagram","tag-social-media"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/144802","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9073"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=144802"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/144802\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":325709,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/144802\/revisions\/325709"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/144847"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=144802"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=144802"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=144802"},{"taxonomy":"usertag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/usertag?post=144802"},{"taxonomy":"vertical","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/vertical?post=144802"},{"taxonomy":"content-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cms-articles.softonic.io\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content-category?post=144802"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}