Instagram is adding the ability to turn off comments and remove followers from private accounts

Instagram has taken several steps over the last few months to help mitigate the image and video sharing platform’s harassment issues.

A few weeks ago Facebook-owned Instagram added the ability to filter inappropriate comments and now it plans to allow users to turn off comments and remove followers from private accounts.

In a recent blog post, Kevin Systrom, CEO and co-founder of Instagram, says the ability to turn off comment on the platform will arrive in a few weeks. To enable this new setting, tap ‘Advanced Settings,’ before you submit your photo or video and select ‘Turn Off Commenting.’ Instagram notes that comments can be turned on at any time.

Also arriving in the coming weeks is the ability to like comments by tapping a heart icon next to any comment.

In addition to filtering words, comments, and the option to turn off comments completely, Instagram will soon allow users to block private accounts and unwanted accounts that follow you.

One of more important new features coming to Instagram, however,  is the ability to anonymously report friends who post images or videos indicating self-harm.

“If you believe that someone you care about may be thinking about injuring themselves, you can report it anonymously, and we will connect your friend to organizations that offer help,” said Systrom in the blog post. “We have teams working 24 hours a day, seven days a week, around the world to review these reports.”

[source]Instagram[/source]