Instagram is rolling out a new program to fast-track moderation reports made by school districts. After a district joins the new Schools Partnership program, any post or account they flag for potentially violating Instagram’s rules will “be automatically prioritized for review.”
The school’s account will then receive notifications about the status of their report, and whether Instagram takes action on it. The partnership program is available to middle schools and high schools in the US, and it will allow them to take action against harmful content students may post.
Schools are often made aware of threats or inappropriate content posted on social media platforms, and some use monitoring programs to keep tabs on what students post online. Educational institutions will get a banner on their profile indicating that they’re part of the program, and they’ll gain access to resources to “help support educators, parents, guardians and students navigate Instagram safely.”
Instagram has been trying to get ahead of the online child safety legislation popping up across the US. Last year, Instagram moved teens into more private accounts and began using AI to scan for signals that someone might be lying about their age. It also partnered with the nonprofit organization Childhelp to develop a curriculum that teaches middle schoolers how to recognize online exploitation, including sextortion scams and grooming.
