Instagram is introducing new features to help point people struggling with an eating disorder in the right direction. When someone tries to search for content related to topics like recovery from eating disorders, they first see links to resources the company has created with the help of the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), as well as links to local helplines in Australia, Canada and the UK United.
Likewise, when someone tries to share such content or if their friends see them post something of concern, they will see the same set of features. The company will allow people to contact their friends for support on the resource’s landing page. As before, Instagram will continue to blur content that it believes can trigger someone with an eating disorder.
The features largely reflect what TikTok announced earlier in the day – although in the case of Instagram, it was already encouraging users to more general help before today’s announcement. Pinterest also announced similar measures, saying it would direct its users to NEDA resources, in addition to promoting events and round tables around the National Eating Disorder Awareness Week. For Instagram, this is the third consecutive year that the company has partnered with the organization for NEDAwarness Week. The two plan to share moments that will stimulate body positivity. Outside the immediate future, the company says it will continue to work with experts to shape its policy on the matter.
While all social media services struggle with body positivity to some extent, Instagram, as one of the largest social networks on the planet, is in some ways the poster child for the problem. And sometimes, the company has not done the best job of supporting those who try to spread more inclusive messages about what constitutes a beautiful body.