#Roommates, it may be hard to believe, but today Instagram has officially marked its 10th anniversary! The incredibly popular social media platform has decided to celebrate its impressive milestone by focusing on the online protection of its millions of users by unveiling new features.
According to @PEOPLE, Instagram is kicking off National Bullying Prevention Month by introducing a couple of new features to limit the bullying and harassment that occurs on the social media platform. To commemorate its 10th anniversary, Instagram wants to tackle cyber-bullying head-on. The first new feature, which Instagram has recently been testing, will automatically hide comments that are similar to others that have been reported. If users want to see these comments, they can simply tap “View Hidden Comments.”
The second feature will send new warning messages to users who post comments that are repeatedly flagged as offensive. Since introducing warning messages less than a year ago, Instagram has seen a decrease in negative interactions in both comments and captions. Additionally, comments that violate Instagram’s Community Guidelines will continue to be automatically removed from the Instagram platform.
Speaking about the new protection measures, Instagram said “Bullying is a challenge many face, especially young people who are already dealing with additional pressures brought on by COVID-19.”
Elsewhere, the Instagram 10th anniversary celebration also has some fun for users to enjoy as well. The company now allows users to change the app’s home screen icon, which can be done by going to the Instagram settings, swiping down long enough to reveal several emojis and then the icons will be unlocked. The new available icons include different colors, a rainbow-colored Pride icon and for a more nostalgic feel, several versions of classic icons.
Responding to the changes Adam Mosseri, Head of Instagram, said via statement “We know that updating an app used by over a billion people is a big responsibility, but it’s important to adapt. I’m excited about how these changes will help our community create new waves of culture, and I can’t wait to see how you’ll inspire us next.”
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