Instagram takes steps to identify troubling posts, answer users' cries for help
Instagram, the popular, free photo-sharing application, is tackling self-harm and eating disorders with a tool aimed at answering online cries for help.
The social media platform last month launched a support system that relies on users instead of algorithms to flag troubling posts.
When a user anonymously flags a post, Instagram will send a message to the person who posted the troubling words. The message reads: “Someone saw one of your posts and thinks you might be going through a difficult time. If you need support, we'd like to help.”
The recipient in question will then be encouraged to talk with a friend, call a help line or get a list of support options.
A team of people working around the clock will review flagged posts, without relying on algorithms, to judge whether someone is vulnerable. The team will prioritize the most serious reports and respond quickly.
“There's emerging data to show this can be effective,” said Dr. Abigail Schlesinger, medical director for integrated care for Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC and Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic. “Kids, for example, spend a lot of time on social media. If this is a way to get them access for care, I am all in favor of it.”
Instagram, which is owned by Facebook, worked closely with the National Eating Disorders Association, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and Suicide Awareness Voices of Education (SAVE), along with people with real-life experience with eating disorders, self-injury or suicide. Last year, Facebook unveiled a similar tool.
“Most of the time when it comes to suicidal crisis, people are scared to ask about it,” SAVE Executive Director Daniel Reidenberg said. “If you see a post or a picture and are worried about it, you may not know who to turn to. This gives you a way to report it.”
Dr. P.V. Nickell, chair of Allegheny Health Network's Adult Psychiatric Services division, viewed the app last week and came away impressed.
“The worst thing is not asking someone if they need help,” he said. “This could help demystify that process.”
Suicide is the 10th-leading cause of death in the United States, according to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention. Each year, about 43,000 Americans die by suicide.
Hollie Geitner, vice president of client services for WordWrite Communications public relations firm in Pittsburgh, said Instagram's effort exemplifies an avenue in which social media can do good.
“Because Instagram's system is not guided by algorithms, but by people, it can be a powerful tool in identifying and helping people in distress,” she said. “A post from someone offering help or support can be that one shimmer of light and hope for someone who feels lost in a tunnel of darkness. It's not difficult to find reasons to declare social media as bad — however, it is here to stay and a part of our culture. Let's look for the positive when we can. This certainly fits that category, in my opinion.”
Geitner said she struggled with a bout of depression years ago before social media existed.
“I believe that, in many situations, the person experiencing depression is crying out for help,” she said. “Social media is one way people do that today, whether through posts in their own words or via shared memes or images.”
With more than 500 million users worldwide, Instagram is a natural platform for outreach.
“There's no question that there are many people online who are having emotional issues, and I definitely applaud Instagram's interest in trying to come up with something to address this,” said Dr. Brian Primack, director of the University of Pittsburgh Center for Research on Media, Technology and Health. “I would love to study this type of thing, see how often the system is activated and how effective it is over the years to come.”
Ben Schmitt is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 412-320-7991 or bschmitt@tribweb.com.
