Instagram – a.k.a. the spiritual home of selfies & memes – has rolled out a number of new tools in an effort to combat cyber bullying and online abuse.
“We’ve been testing this tool with accounts that receive a high volume of comments and now we’re rolling it out to everyone,” said Instagram.“Instagram is first and foremost a platform for visual expression, and we’re always looking for new ways to combat spammy or inappropriate comments. The vast majority of people on Instagram use comments in the right way, and we want to preserve the ability for people to connect with each another through comments.”
In what is truly a sign of the times, Instagram used this announcement to pre-empt any demented claims that the platform will be blocking users’ freedom of speech, a statement which 99% of the time seems to be made by people who have no idea what freedom of speech actually means. (Hint: it’s the ability to say something w/o fear of persecution from the government, not your legally sanctioned right to be a dick.)
“Instagram cares deeply about free expression – we are first and foremost a platform for visual communication,” it said. “But expression takes different forms for different people – some people will feel comfortable using any of the several tools we provide to manage comments, while others may at times feel a need to let their posts stand on their own.”
“We believe that there is also a threat to free-expression should people simply stop posting their real thoughts. Our goal is to provide an inclusive, accepting, safe space for people.”
