Instagram adds new features to protect high profile accounts from abuse

Instagram is introducing two new anti-bullying features to its platform designed to support accounts with large followings, such as professional sportspeople, who have received abuse in their direct message (DM) requests inbox from people they are not connected with.

The social media platform has worked with leading sports anti-discrimination and anti-bullying organisations, including Kick It Out, in the development of the new DM Controls, which will filter our abusive messages from the inbox based on a predefined list of offensive terms.

The list can also be customised as per the user’s preference. All DM requests that contain the offensive words, phrases, or emojis will be automatically filtered into a separate hidden requests folder. If a user chooses to open the folder, the message text will be covered, unless it is tapped to uncover it. Users then have the option to accept the message request, delete it, or report it.

The message filters can be turned on and off in a dedicated tab of the Privacy Settings labelled ‘Hidden Words’.