Instagram CEO Kevin Systrom today announced that the company is "taking the next step" to protect its users from online abuse with the wide launch of a new comment moderation feature in the photography-focused social network app. Referred to as a "keyword moderation tool," the feature will let each user type in words they find to be offensive, effectively hiding any mention of them in the comment section of their posts.

The comments containing the harsh language will still be available for other Instagram users, but the company believes that allowing each user to determine which words to hide from their personal collection of photos will cultivate a "positive and safe" environment. To deal with abusive accounts, Instagram already lets users swipe to delete comments, report inappropriate comments and block accounts.

instagram-comments
Systrom refers to the keyword blocking update as the "first feature" for dealing with online abusers, suggesting Instagram is continuing to keep an eye on the issue and add more protective updates to its mobile app in the future. Once the app is updated, gain access to the comment moderation setting by following the steps below:

  1. Go to your Profile tab.
  2. Tap the Settings gear icon in the top right corner.
  3. Find and tap "Comments."
  4. Toggle "Hide Inappropriate Comments" to automatically hide keywords that are "often reported as inappropriate."
  5. Or, add your own custom keywords in the text box, separating each with a comma.
  6. Tap "Done" to save your changes.

After previously allowing high-profile users, like businesses and various brands, to have access to the new feature, Instagram said that today marks its wide rollout to every user. Those who have yet to download the app can find Instagram for free on the iOS App Store. [Direct Link]

Top Rated Comments

Alonso Quijano Avatar
92 months ago
Four comments in and this thread is already a mess. So much negativity can't be healthy guys :) I don't know about you but I'd rather not see nasty things on my social media :)
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
keysofanxiety Avatar
92 months ago
This is just absurd
I politely disagree. It's no more different than avoiding PRSI threads on MR.

If you're barraged with foul language and nasty comments every time you check an application, directly or indirectly, it kinda has a habit of grinding you down, y'know? Consciously choosing to surround yourself in positivity, rather than nihilistic pessimism, doesn't mean you're an easy-to-offend special snowflake.
[doublepost=1473699311][/doublepost]
No we just dont want to be controlled by the commies sensoring us.
That's why it's a choice. An option. It's not mandatory and you can opt in or out as you prefer.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AgentAnonymous Avatar
92 months ago
Laughable.
The only thing laughable is all of the reactionaries in this thread making mean-spirited jokes and acting like this is a "bad" thing.

Ironically people with that attitude are the same kind of people who usually engage in said harassment. Funny how that works
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MecPro Avatar
92 months ago
I can't believe some people are here saying this is too PC/draconian, etc

If you see some of the racial and sexist abuse that is occurring on social media, you'll fully understand where they are coming from with this feature

Well done Instagram
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lunarworks Avatar
92 months ago
This is just absurd
Laughable.
These poor precious snowflakes :(
Im offended
I hear if you hang up garlic in your basement the SJWs can't get you.

Grow up, guys. Maybe you don't get treated like **** on the internet, but lots of people do.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lunarworks Avatar
92 months ago
This country is really sick.
Yes, it's amazing the kind of awful things people will say to people they don't even know.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Multi Display CarPlay 1

All-New Apple CarPlay Launching Later This Year With These 5 New Features

Friday September 29, 2023 11:29 am PDT by
At WWDC 2022 last year, Apple previewed the next generation of CarPlay, promising deeper integration with vehicle functions like A/C and FM radio, support for multiple displays across the dashboard, personalization options, and more. Apple said the first vehicles with support for the next-generation CarPlay experience would be announced in late 2023, but it has still not shared any additional...
BMW Logo iPhone 15 Pro

Warning: BMW Wireless Charging May Break iPhone 15's Apple Pay Chip

Sunday October 1, 2023 6:14 am PDT by
If you have an iPhone 15 and drive a BMW, it might be best to avoid charging the device with the vehicle's wireless charging pad for now. Over the past week, some BMW owners have complained that their iPhone 15's NFC chip no longer works after charging the device with their vehicle's wireless charging pad, according to comments shared on the MacRumors Forums and X, formerly known as Twitter. ...
iPhone 15 Pro lineup

Apple to Address iPhone 15 Pro Overheating Issue With iOS 17 Update

Saturday September 30, 2023 9:28 am PDT by
Apple plans to release an iOS 17 update to address a bug that may contribute to the reported iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max overheating issue, according to a statement the company shared today with MacRumors and Forbes reporter David Phelan. Apple also says some recent updates to third-party apps have overloaded the system and contributed to the overheating issue. The report notes that...
iphone se 4 modified flag edges

iPhone SE 4 Details: Action Button, USB-C Port, Face ID, and More

Wednesday September 27, 2023 1:34 pm PDT by
Significant changes are expected to arrive with Apple's fourth-generation iPhone SE, in terms of both design and hardware, MacRumors has learned. The iPhone SE 4, known internally under the codename Ghost, is expected to receive a new design derived almost entirely from the base model iPhone 14. According to our sources, the iPhone SE 4 will use a modified version of the iPhone 14 chassis...
iPhone 16 Side Feature

iPhone 16 and 16 Pro: Preliminary Weights and Dimensions

Friday September 29, 2023 12:34 pm PDT by
MacRumors has obtained preliminary information on the weights and dimensions planned for the iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max. The information corroborates previous reports suggesting that the iPhone 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max will feature larger displays. iPhone 16 and 16 Plus Current information suggests that the iPhone 16 and 16 Plus will maintain the same...
CarPlay SharePlay

CarPlay Not Working for Some iPhone 15 Users, Possibly Because of USB-C Cables

Friday September 29, 2023 2:27 pm PDT by
CarPlay is not working as expected for some iPhone 15 users, an issue that is likely linked to the transition to USB-C. There are multiple complaints from MacRumors readers and Reddit users who are unable to get CarPlay to work with their new devices. Cable type and available port options are a common theme in the CarPlay reports, with many of the functionality problems linked to USB-A to...
iOS 17

Everything New in iOS 17.1 Beta 1

Wednesday September 27, 2023 1:57 pm PDT by
Just a week after releasing iOS 17, Apple has seeded the first beta of iOS 17.1 to developers. iOS 17.1 adds some features that Apple promised were coming to iOS 17 in the future, plus it refines and improves some existing features. This guide covers everything new in the first iOS 17.1 beta. Apple Music Favorites You can favorite songs, albums, playlists, and artists in the iOS 17.1...