Instagram's Latest Update tackles Online Harassment

Instagram CEO Kevin Systrom announced that the company is “taking the next step” to protect its users from online abuse with the introduction of a “keyword moderation tool.” The Photo-sharing social network app’s latest feature will allow users to vet out comments that contain words or phrases they find to be offensive, effectively hiding any mention of them in the comment section of their posts.

Systromposted on Instagram’s blog about the reason for rolling out this latest update:

The beauty of the Instagram community is the diversity of its members. All different types of people — from diverse backgrounds, races, genders, sexual orientations, abilities and more — call Instagram home, but sometimes the comments on their posts can be unkind. To empower each individual, we need to promote a culture where everyone feels safe to be themselves without criticism or harassment. It’s not only my personal wish to do this, I believe it’s also our responsibility as a company. So, today, we’re taking the next step to ensure Instagram remains a positive place to express yourself.

This new ‘Keyword Moderation Tool’ was previously made available to high-profile users like businesses and various brands, as well as Kylie Jenner who was one of the first celebrities to tweet out that she would be using this new tool for her Instagram.

So I'm trying out disabling my comments on Instagram because I'm done w people self promoting & the "LB"s

— Kylie Jenner (@KylieJenner) August 2, 2016

Instagram’s CEO posted in the blog that this new tool is now available to every user on the popular photo sharing app.

So now, when you tap the gear icon on the top right corner of your profile, you’ll find a new Comments tool.

This feature lets you list words you consider offensive or inappropriate. Comments with these words will be hidden from your posts. You can choose your own list of words or use default words Instagram has provided. This is in addition to the tools Instagram has already developed such as swiping to delete comments, reporting inappropriate comments and blocking accounts.

Instagram isn’t the first social networking app to implement these comment moderation features. Facebook has a very similar working feature that Pages on the site can use to moderate comments, so it’s no surprise that Instagram is following in the steps of their parent company.

“We know tools aren’t the only solution for this complex problem, but together, we can work towards keeping Instagram a safe place for self-expression. My commitment to you is that we will keep building features that safeguard the community and maintain what makes Instagram a positive and creative place for everyone.”  Kevin Systrom wrote on Instagram’s blog.