Instagram announced a new technology feature for the users that will allow them to organize what type of content they would see on the Explore page. Features named Sensitive Content Control, that users choose if they want to see more or less “sensitive content” from posts or accounts that they do not follow.
You can think of sensitive content as posts that don’t necessarily break our rules, but could potentially be upsetting to some people — such as posts that may be sexually suggestive or violent,” Instagram says in their press release. In 2012, Facebook has purchased Instagram and was repeatedly criticized for some of its content moderation decisions and censorship guidelines.
This type of incident is mainly the first time Instagram has been accused of restricting post engagement. Mainly users above and above the years have complained the viewership on their posts has dropped dramatically within days.
In fact, some users have also expressed towards Reels, Instagram’s TikTok-like product, stating the company aggressively promotes trending Reels while other photos and videos witness poor viewership.
On Twitter Instagram announces detailed statement as “Because we show you posts from people you don’t follow on Explore, we try not to show content that some may find sensitive. As they could include content like “posts about smoking, violent posts like people fighting, or about pharmaceutical drugs.”
Regular stories, feed and reels will not much be affected by the new updated policy. Social media has mentioned before that the purpose of the Tab Explore, which is in the bottom panel by magnifying glass, is to help people to create new content by stating photos and videos, meanwhile, certain users might like the posts that they historically like, save and comments.
You can see and change your Sensitive Content Control by going to the profile, and then access the Settings menu through the three-line hamburger in the upper right corner. Select the Account, then select Sensitive Content Control. The default setting is Limit the sensitive content, but you can choose to Limit Even More or Allow all sensitive content. However, the Allow option is not available to people under age which is 18 years not completed, a decision that is likely a part of Instagram’s new initiative to give youngsters use a safer and more private experience.