Instagram has been making big changes to its photo-sharing platform as of late, starting with removing the number of likes on per image, to now, hiding damaging content from teens.
Their new policy will be to hide all posts promoting weight-loss products and cosmetic procedures from users who are under 18 years old.
Let’s call it the Jameela Jamil effect.
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Instagram has had major concerns for a number of years regarding promoted posts, or sponsored content that celebrities and other influencers share on their pages, especially when it has to do with weight loss, diet, detoxing and surgery.
This is why all paid content about the above (or any product) MUST have #ad or #sponsored in the caption, so users are aware.
The change will also affect the content on Facebook.
Under the platforms new rules, content that claims to cure, or have any type of miraculous fix that links to a discount code will be removed.
Users will also have a say, by reporting a post that goes against the policy.
Emma Collins, Instagram’s public policy manager has addressed the change, saying that it is part of an ongoing procedure at the company to “reduce the pressure that people can sometimes feel as a result of social media.”
We can guarantee the fact that Instagram is the leading app that causes feelings of depression and anxiety with its users that has also led this change.
“We’ve sought guidance from external experts, including Dr Ysabel Gerrard in the UK, to make sure any steps to restrict and remove this content will have a positive impact on our community of over 1 billion people around the world – whilst ensuring Instagram remains a platform for expression and discussion,” she said.
Actress Jameela Jamil has been extremely passionate about this issue on Instagram, constantly calling out her fellow celebs on their damaging posts.
Now, she has weighed in on Instagram’s new change, praising them.
“It’s just the coolest thing to be a part of,” she wrote on Twitter. “A big congrats to all of the people who made noise about this. We have all made a huge step in protecting young people from the perils of the devious diet/detox industry. Onwards and upwards we go. Social media now. Next: The law.”
Before her congratulatory post, Jameela said: “BYE BENCHES. Greedy influencers who push toxic products, will have to find another way to scam the innocent people who follow them, because we are shutting this sh*t down today. (Literally)
“
It’s safe to say she’s riding a high right now.
It’s a good day to be a regular old person. It’s not a great day to be an influencer.
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