Instagram is rolling out new safety measures to protect children and teenagers from online threats. The platform announced new features that prevent the screenshotting or screen recording of temporary photos and videos. This step was specifically taken to counteract acts of sexual exploitation.
Instagram’s new safety measures aim to minimize the risks users face by protecting single-use photos and videos. Additionally, the platform is launching an informational campaign within to detect and respond to ‘sextortion’—blackmail using sexual content—cases involving children and teenagers.
User Privacy to be Enhanced in Critical Situations
Instagram is expanding these measures to prevent malicious individuals from accessing the follower lists of teenagers, thus blocking the extortionist’s access to the teenagers’ acquaintances.
These new safety measures were developed in collaboration with the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC) and an organization named Thorn that works on child safety. According to NCMEC’s data, cases of ‘sextortion’ have increased by more than 300% in recent years. Instagram’s steps are considered significant progress in protecting children and teenagers from online threats.
Users can share their thoughts about these new features by commenting on the platform. Instagram aims to further develop its safety measures based on this feedback.
