Instagram Update Brings Anti-Harassment 'Keyword Moderation Tool' to All Users

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.

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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:

Go to your Profile tab.

Tap the Settings gear icon in the top right corner.

Find and tap "Comments."

Toggle "Hide Inappropriate Comments" to automatically hide keywords that are "often reported as inappropriate."

Or, add your own custom keywords in the text box, separating each with a comma.

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]

Tag: Instagram

Top Rated Comments

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Alonso Quijano

32 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 :)

Rating: 19 Votes

keysofanxiety

32 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.
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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.

Rating: 14 Votes

AgentAnonymous

32 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

Rating: 13 Votes

MecPro

32 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

Rating: 10 Votes

lunarworks

32 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.

Rating: 8 Votes

lunarworks

32 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.

Rating: 8 Votes

WinstonRumfoord

32 months ago

These poor precious snowflakes :(

Rating: 7 Votes

lunarworks

32 months ago

Agreed 100%
The unfortunate PC, safe space and spoiled world we live in. Does it ship with a helmet, Knee pads and elbow pads too?

Nah, we just don't want the entire net to be 4chan or Reddit. You know, your safe space, where you go when triggered and demand apologies when told "gamers are dead" or "basket of deplorables" and such.

Rating: 6 Votes

lunarworks

32 months ago

The world is a really sensitive place in 2016... you can't have an opinion, you can't call out people when they do something stupid (I still do) without offending them, etc.

I'm about to blow your mind: You can have an opinion without being a dick about it.

The problem in 2016 isn't opinions. It's people with the emotional maturity of 12 year olds who can't express their opinions without throwing slurs and insults along with them.

Also, if your opinion itself is ignorant or offensive, you're going to get called out on it.

Rating: 6 Votes

vp719

32 months ago

This is just absurd

Rating: 6 Votes

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