Whether or not you’re an advocate of “think before you click,” Instagram will still make you second guess your captioning choices—especially if you’ve got a few words for their swear jar.
In line with their several actions against online bullying—this year alone, Instagram has removed plastic surgery filters and wiped out fake news—the social media app will now take action against captions that will be deemed seemingly offensive. Thanks to IG’s artificial intelligence, users will receive a warning prior to posting in an attempt to foster the platform’s goal for a supportive, bully-free environment.
Read more: We won’t be seeing any more plastic surgery filters on Instagram
While a platform free of trolls is hardly achievable (and users may be prone to tapping away and ignoring the warning), the app released a statement, saying, “Results [of the AI] have been promising, and we’ve found that these types of nudges can encourage people to reconsider their words when given a chance.”
Instagram has had an infamous reputation when it comes to online harassment. In 2017, the app was ranked as the worst platform for cyberbullying. The changes this year mark IG’s efforts to protect users’ mental health. The feature will roll in selected countries, and will soon expand globally in the coming year.
Header art by Edward Joson, screenshots courtesy of Instagram