In order to reduce depression caused by social media which sometimes has lead to suicide, Instagram is hiding the number of likes on posts in several countries, including Australia and Japan, in order to “remove pressure” on users.
Though it is currently on test mode, many users of the app have commented on it, some furious and others in support of it.
Commenting on this new development, Founder of Omaliving Show, Marilyn Oma Anona, who have been on the core, against suicide, rape and depression in Nigeria, says its “the best things to be done by Instagram especially with the level of make believe, pressure people face on here.”
There is concern social media platforms can contribute to low self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy in young people.
Read Oma’s comment below-
When @bitcoin_chief tagged me to this on Facebook I was glad that @instagram has started the moves to enact this.
I simply can’t wait.Personally, I think it will be one of the best things to be done by @instagram especially with the level of make believe, pressure people face on here.
During my CAMPAIGN on SUICIDE, ANXIETY AND DEPRESSION… I discovered to my dismay that a lot of people are depressed and anxious because of Instagram engagements. The implications are so numerous and dangerous to people’s mental health, self esteem and worth. And the fact that these followers and engagements can be bought and influenced makes it meaningless if you critically analyse it. People have 1.5 million followers but only 20,000 are real and authentic followers and yet live the lie that they have fans.
I can’t wait for this to be fully enacted so that people will concentrate on real contents, value and substance.
Thanks @instagram
At the moment, Instagram users see a running total of people who have liked a post. In the trial, users will see a user name “and others” below posts.
“We hope this test will remove the pressure of how many likes a post will receive, so you can focus on sharing the things you love,” Mia Garlick, Facebook Australia and New Zealand director of policy, said in a statement.
The goal, she adds, is that users feel less judged and to see “whether this change can help people focus less on likes and more on telling their story”.
“We want people to worry a little bit less about how many likes they’re getting on Instagram and spend a bit more time connecting with the people that they care about,” says, Instagram chief, Adam Mosseri, when the test was first carried out in Canada.
It might work for maybe celebrities and some ‘doing well on Instagram persons’ but what about influencers, how will this help their delivery?
Instagram has also revealed a new feature to tackle online bullying….#Davido
