Instagram forced to hide posts about weight loss teas, quick-fix diet aids and cosmetic surgery from teens
INSTAGRAM is finally banning celebs like Kim K and Cardi B from flogging "nonsense" diet fads to teens.
The photo-sharing app is blocking posts about plastic surgery and weight-loss products from reaching the feeds of users under the age of 18.
The sweeping move is part of new efforts by Instagram to clamp down on content related to dieting, detoxes and cosmetic surgery.
The Facebook-owned firm has found itself under increasing pressure from health experts to limit such content over the impact it can have on young people, their mental health and body image.
Instagram announced on Wednesday that on both Instagram and Facebook, age restrictions now apply to some posts relating to diet products and surgery, while others will now be removed.
Under the new rules, posts which promote the use of certain products or procedures which have an incentive to buy, or include a price, will be hidden from users known to be under 18.
In addition, the platform said any content which makes a "miraculous" claim about a diet or weight-loss product and is linked to a commercial offer such as a discount code, will now be removed from Instagram.
"We want Instagram to be a positive place for everyone that uses it and this policy is part of our ongoing work to reduce the pressure that people can sometimes feel as a result of social media," said Emma Collins, Instagram's public policy manager.
"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 one billion people around the world - whilst ensuring Instagram remains a platform for expression and discussion."
Actress and body positivity campaigner Jameela Jamil, who has repeatedly criticised high-profile online figures including Khloe Kardashian for posting on social media about diet products, said the update was a victory for mental health advocates.
"This is a huge win for our ongoing fight against the diet/detox industry.
"Facebook and Instagram taking a stand to protect the physical and mental health of people online sends an important message out to the world," she said.
"I'm thrilled to have been able to work towards this with them, alongside a host of other experts who shed light on the danger of these products.
"Instagram were supportive and helpful when I brought them my protests and petitions; they listened, they cared, they moved so efficiently, and communicated with us throughout the process."
The Good Place actress, who recently lashed out at Cardi B for promoting "nonsense" diet pills on Instagram, started the I Weigh movement and a related account on the platform in response to the amount of content she felt was promoting unhealthy lifestyles and diet products, suggesting society was measuring success based on weight.
The account encouraged people to share their achievements regardless of their body shape and has since gained more than 830,000 followers.
"As someone who struggled with an eating disorder for most of my youth, I've personally known and suffered the perils of the devious side of the diet and detox industry," she said.
"A focus of our advocacy since inception, it is a proud day for I Weigh and a day of hope for our generation, who deserve respect and protection from the celebrities and influencers that they follow."
NHS chief executive, Simon Stevens, who last year called on social media firms to pay a levy towards mental health treatment linked to online activity, said: "Every business should put a premium on its customers' well-being and it's welcome that social media giants are beginning to listen to NHS calls to rein in harmful or misleading content that could harm users' health."
The move follows months of pressure heaped on Instagram's celebs and "influencers" to clean up their act regarding weight-loss products.
Instagram – the key facts
Here's what you need to know...
- Instagram is a social network for sharing photos and videos
- It was created back in October 2010 as an iPhone-exclusive app
- A separate version for Android devices was released 18 months later
- The app rose to popularity thanks to its filters system, which lets you quickly edit your photos with cool effects
- When it first launched, users could only post square 1:1 ratio images, but that rule was changed in 2015
- In 2012, Facebook bought Instagram for $1billion in cash and stock
- In 2018, some analysts believe the app is worth closer to $100billion
- In October 2015, Instagram confirmed that more than 40billion photos had been uploaded to the app
- And in 2018, Instagram revealed that more than a billion people were using the app every month
Kim Kardashian, Vicky Pattison and Katie Price are among those who have been paid to promote unproven products including diet pills, detox teas and appetite-suppressant sweets.
Back in February, then-Prime Minister Theresa May blasted celebs who cash in by plugging dodgy fad diets on social media.
She warned stars they risk fuelling an eating disorder epidemic that is “devastating lives”.
Speaking in PMQs, Mrs May stormed: “Young people may be encouraged to take products because of celebrity endorsement.
“And celebrities who are doing that should think very carefully about the impact that these products can have in having the effect of eating disorders which can devastate people’s lives.”
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