Instagram is working on new features to deal with internet trolls

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If you have any iota of popularity on social sites like Instagram, bullies and other types of trolls are simply a way of life. Hell, even if you don’t, certain posts seem to garner the attention of them anyways, which begs the question – what can you about them?

Well, Instagram is hoping to thwart some of the harassment and trolly behavior with some new features coming to the social platform.

Warning labels and silencing trolls (without blocking them)

Image: Instagram

The first way Instagram plans on lowering the amount of hate on the platform is through the use of warnings when posting potentially harmful messages on others’ posts.

Instagram will ask the user “Are you sure you want to post this?” if the message you are leaving is similar to other messages that have been reported in the past. I’m sure this will be a meme within days of a global rollout. It’s an interesting idea, but someone has already typed out hurtful/inappropriate words, I doubt a prompt will convince them to rethink their decisions.

The other feature being tested in certain markets is a “restrict” feature that should prove to actually be helpful. We all have friends (or enemies) that post dumb stuff on our posts. Instead of having to awkwardly block them or discuss with them all the reasons they suck, this restrict feature would still allow them to interact with your posts, but only you and them will be able to see it. You can then approve the comment for public viewing.

Restricting users will also remove Read receipts from direct messages and those users will also be unable to see when you are online.

The warning messages are currently rolling out to users everywhere, with the restrict feature being tested in select markets before a full release later this year.

What do you think? Glad to see these features being added? Do you think they will help? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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Josiah Motley

Former KnowTechie editor.