Instagram Introduces Suicide-Prevention Tools and Support Pages
October 19, 2016
Pixabay
Instagram is making it easier to help those in need. The photo-sharing app has introduced new tools to its more than 500 million users aimed to help prevent suicide and self-harm.
According to Engadget, users can anonymously report troubling photos, which will then cause a message to be sent to that person: “Someone saw one of your posts and thinks you might be going through a difficult time. If you need support, we’d like to help.” They will have the option to see support resources, including talking to a friend, contacting a helpline or getting tips and support.
Instagram also gives users who post about self-injury a similar support pop-up, according to Yahoo. “Now, when a user types in a hashtag that indicates they may be considering self-harm, the app will automatically present him or her with the same support pop-up. Instagram already blocks an updating list of terms, some of which relate to self-harm or anorexia, such as #thinspo, #loseweight, and #probulimia.”
Engadget
Instagram is working with the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, the National Eating Disorders Association, Save.org and Samaritans to deliver these tools. These new efforts also work in conjunction with Seventeen and Instagram’s #PerfectlyMe campaign, which “is aimed at celebrating communities that redefine body standards, inspire confidence, and build a culture not of negativity — as so much of our world tends to do — but instead, of positivity.”
Facebook, Instagram’s parent company, introduced suicide-prevention tools to their platform last year. A Facebook user has the option to report a friend’s status who may be considering self-harm. From there, you can contact the person who made the status, contact another friend for support or contact a suicide helpline, according to the Huffington Post. Facebook then looks at the post as well to determine if the post does, in fact, indicate distress.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, please visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline or call 1-800-273-8255 for immediate help.
Digital & Social Articles on Business 2 Community
(33)
