Instagram unveiled an update on its platform that will filter out any comments viewed as “bullying” starting Tuesday.
The filter is an expansion of Instagram’s update in 2017, which gives users the option to automatically filter out any “offensive” comments.
The popular social media site, with its 800 million users, will use a machine-learning algorithm to detect harassers that’s called DeepText and was developed by Instagram’s owner, Facebook, The New York Times reports.
Instagram CEO and co-founder Kevin Systrom said the platform does not tolerate bullying on Instagram. (RELATED: Mark Zuckerberg Wants To Use Artificial Intelligence To Ban ‘Hate Speech’)
“This new filter hides comments containing attacks on a person’s appearance or character, as well as threats to a person’s well-being or health,” Systrom said.
By enabling the keyword filters, users can choose to use the default keywords or add their own custom keywords. Instagram did not respond in time for publication when asked what keywords are included in the default setting.
Instagram is also taking precautions to protect its younger users from being bullied.
“Protecting our youngest community members is crucial to helping them feel comfortable to express who they are and what they care about,” Systrom added. Users must be at least 13 years old, according to Instagram’s terms of service.
In order to “promote kindness,” Systrom said, the company is hosting a “Kindness Prom” on Saturday, May 5, “to celebrate people in our community who are spreading positivity. These young leaders are inspiring their peers by helping kindness, acceptance and support grow on Instagram and in the world.”
Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube have also made efforts in 2018 towards censoring “hate speech,” harassment, and offensive content.
As with Instagram’s offensive comments filter, the keywords filter can be disabled.
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