Instagram to let users to turn off comments and add Likes to keep people safe

Instagram is making huge changes to comments, intended on making it a “welcoming place”.

The changes include the ability to stop comments from showing at all. It also lets people put little hearts next to any specific comment, the equivalent of liking them on Facebook.

Previously, the ability to stop comments was a limited to a small number of high-profile accounts. But it will be made available to everyone in a few weeks, Instagram said.

That is done by tapping “Advanced Settings” before sending the post and choosing to “Turn Off Commenting”. It can be turned back on from any post.

The hearts are also intended as a way of letting people help each other and to make the place less abusive, according to Instagram boss and founder Kevin Systrom. “Liking lets you show support and encourages positivity throughout the community,” he wrote in a blog post announcing the change.

A range of other changes also aim to minimise the amount of abuse that happens on the platform.

People will now be ale to remove followers from their personal accounts, for instance. Previously, there was no way to stop someone from following a private account, short of blocking them, but that can now be done more easily and without the person on the other end finding out.

The company will also introduce a way for people to anonymously report self-injury posts, so that updates that appear to be a concern can be better dealt with.

“Finally, we want to continue to be a place where people can share deeply personal moments,” wrote Mr Systrom. From time to time, you may see friends struggling and in need of support.

“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. We have teams working 24 hours a day, seven days a week, around the world to review these reports.”