Instagram is making changes to the platform in a bid to stamp out online bullying. Unsplash
Instagram is making changes to the platform in a bid to stamp out online bullying. Unsplash
Instagram is making changes to the platform in a bid to stamp out online bullying. Unsplash
Instagram is making changes to the platform in a bid to stamp out online bullying. Unsplash

Instagram's new anti-bullying measures will give users much more control over their accounts


Sophie Prideaux
  • English
  • Arabic

Instagram has announced a number of new measures in its ongoing efforts to stamp out online bullying.

The new features, announced as part of its Community Standards Enforcement report, will allow users to have more control over their own accounts, and monitor who can comment on their content.

Here are some of the steps the platform is taking …

Managing unwanted interactions

One of Instagram's new measures allows users to delete unwanted comments in bulk. Instagram
One of Instagram's new measures allows users to delete unwanted comments in bulk. Instagram

The first new feature has been designed to help people deal with several unwanted interactions at once. “We know it can feel overwhelming to manage a rush of negative comments, so we’ve been testing the ability to delete comments in bulk, as well as block or restrict multiple accounts that post negative comments,” Instagram said in a blog post explaining the new measures.

The social media platform has been testing the function, and it says early feedback has been encouraging, especially from accounts with larger followings. Users are able to click into the "manage comments" section and it will then bring up a tick box beside each comment, allowing them to select several comments at once and delete in bulk.

Highlighting positive comments

The updates will allow Instagram users to select and pin positive comments to appear at the top of a post's comment thread. Instagram
The updates will allow Instagram users to select and pin positive comments to appear at the top of a post's comment thread. Instagram

In a bid to spread more positivity on Instagram, the platform has announced that it will soon begin testing a new function that will allow users to pin a select number of comments to the top of the thread below a post, much in the same way that you are able to pin certain comments to the top of your Twitter feed or certain Facebook pages.

With Instagram’s update, users will be able to pin several comments, allowing them to highlight positivity among their followers. Currently, comments are shown chronologically, with those from other people you follow usually highlighted to you.

“This feature gives people a way to set the tone for their account and engage with their community,” Instagram said.

Choosing who can tag and mention you

Users will also be given greater control over who can tag and mention them in posts and comments. Instagram
Users will also be given greater control over who can tag and mention them in posts and comments. Instagram

The final update will give users control over who can tag and mention them in comments. This feature is already widely used on Facebook, and allows people to have much more control over unwanted images shared, or any negative comments directed at them.

Under the new controls, users will be able to select whether they allow everyone to tag them, only people they follow, or no one.

Speaking about the new measure, Instagram said: “We’ve seen that tags and mentions can be used to target or bully others.”

The updates are the latest in a string of measures put in place by Instagram to stop online bullying. Last year, it announced it would trial hiding the "like" count on pictures in a number of countries, including Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Instagram said it had introduced the move in a bid to remove the pressure associated with a visible like count. The company is yet to reveal whether this update will be rolled out universally, but it has been well received by many users online.

Instagram has also made changes to the way people can comment on posts. At the beginning of 2019, a warning prompt was introduced for any comment it deemed might be offensive or used to incite hate, with a pop-up asking the commenter if they were sure they wanted to post it.

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What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

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The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

RESULTS

Bantamweight title:
Vinicius de Oliveira (BRA) bt Xavier Alaoui (MAR)
(KO round 2)
Catchweight 68kg:
Sean Soriano (USA) bt Noad Lahat (ISR)
(TKO round 1)
Middleweight:
Denis Tiuliulin (RUS) bt Juscelino Ferreira (BRA)
(TKO round 1)
Lightweight:
Anas Siraj Mounir (MAR) bt Joachim Tollefsen (DEN)
(Unanimous decision)
Catchweight 68kg:
Austin Arnett (USA) bt Daniel Vega (MEX)
(TKO round 3)
Lightweight:
Carrington Banks (USA) bt Marcio Andrade (BRA)
(Unanimous decision)
Catchweight 58kg:
Corinne Laframboise (CAN) bt Malin Hermansson (SWE)
(Submission round 2)
Bantamweight:
Jalal Al Daaja (CAN) bt Juares Dea (CMR)
(Split decision)
Middleweight:
Mohamad Osseili (LEB) bt Ivan Slynko (UKR)
(TKO round 1)
Featherweight:
Tarun Grigoryan (ARM) bt Islam Makhamadjanov (UZB)
(Unanimous decision)
Catchweight 54kg:
Mariagiovanna Vai (ITA) bt Daniella Shutov (ISR)
(Submission round 1)
Middleweight:
Joan Arastey (ESP) bt Omran Chaaban (LEB)
(Unanimous decision)
Welterweight:
Bruno Carvalho (POR) bt Souhil Tahiri (ALG)
(TKO)

RESULTS

Lightweight (female)
Sara El Bakkali bt Anisha Kadka
Bantamweight
Mohammed Adil Al Debi bt Moaz Abdelgawad
Welterweight
Amir Boureslan bt Mahmoud Zanouny
Featherweight
Mohammed Al Katheeri bt Abrorbek Madaminbekov
Super featherweight
Ibrahem Bilal bt Emad Arafa
Middleweight
Ahmed Abdolaziz bt Imad Essassi
Bantamweight (female)
Ilham Bourakkadi bt Milena Martinou
Welterweight
Mohamed Mardi bt Noureddine El Agouti
Middleweight
Nabil Ouach bt Ymad Atrous
Welterweight
Nouredine Samir bt Marlon Ribeiro
Super welterweight
Brad Stanton bt Mohamed El Boukhari

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Plan to boost public schools

A major shake-up of government-run schools was rolled out across the country in 2017. Known as the Emirati School Model, it placed more emphasis on maths and science while also adding practical skills to the curriculum.

It was accompanied by the promise of a Dh5 billion investment, over six years, to pay for state-of-the-art infrastructure improvements.

Aspects of the school model will be extended to international private schools, the education minister has previously suggested.

Recent developments have also included the introduction of moral education - which public and private schools both must teach - along with reform of the exams system and tougher teacher licensing requirements.

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Key facilities
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  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs

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Results

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Winner: Ziyadd, Richard Mullen (jockey), Jean de Roualle (trainer).

7.05pm: Al Rashidiya Group 2 (TB) $250,000 (Turf) 1,800m

Winner: Barney Roy, William Buick, Charlie Appleby.

7.40pm: Meydan Cup Listed Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) 2,810m

Winner: Secret Advisor, Tadhg O’Shea, Charlie Appleby.

8.15pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,600m

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8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m

Winner: Salute The Soldier, Adrie de Vries, Fawzi Nass.

9.25pm: Al Shindagha Sprint Group 3 (TB) $200,000 (D) 1,200m

Winner: Gladiator King, Mickael Barzalona, Satish Seemar.

UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

Poacher
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Sri Lanka-India Test series schedule
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  • 3rd Test August 12-16 at Pallekele
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League quarter-final second leg:

Juventus 1 Ajax 2

Ajax advance 3-2 on aggregate