Social media is a great place to share your thoughts and feelings no matter how dark they might be. However on more than one occasion, we have seen how some people have shared thoughts on suicide or self-harm on social media, only to actually follow through on them later, and this is something Instagram wants to prevent.According to a report from Seventeen, Instagram seems to have introduced some new tools that will allow users to report posts regarding suicide or self-harm. Once the post has been reported, Instagram will send a message to that user saying, “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.”
Of course Instagram can’t possibly attend to every single one of their millions of users, so instead the company will be providing these users with access to various resources that might help them with their problem. They offer suggestions like talking to a friend or even contacting a hotline that deals with these situations.
At the end of the day we guess it really boils down to the user to decide if they want to accept the help that has been extended, but for those who feel like there’s no way out, hopefully Instagram’s new tool will make them feel like they have some options to consider.
According to Instagram chief operating officer Marne Levine, “We listen to mental health experts when they tell us that outreach from a loved one can make a real difference for those who may be in distress. At the same time, we understand friends and family often want to offer support but don’t know how best to reach out. These tools are designed to let you know that you are surrounded by a community that cares about you, at a moment when you might most need that reminder.”