Instagram has announced a new feature to improve user wellbeing by allowing users to reset recommended posts. This move comes as part of the company’s efforts to comply with the UK’s Online Safety Act, which will require tech firms to make significant changes ahead of its full effect.
Instagram Testing Tool
Resets All Recommended Posts
Background
This move comes as Instagram has announced a raft of new features aimed at improving the wellbeing of people on the platform. Safety features were introduced in October, followed by new teen accounts launched in September.
Reactions
The UK media regulator, Ofcom, welcomed the announcement but said more action would be needed to make social media safe. Tech firms have been warned they will need to “make very significant changes” ahead of the UK’s new Online Safety Act (OSA) taking full effect.
How It Works
Users who want to refresh their feeds can select “reset suggested content” from their “content preferences” screen. They will then be asked if they want to unfollow the accounts whose posts are shown to them most often. At that point, users can then reset their feeds.
Context
People who use Instagram can already have some impact on what is recommended to them by telling the algorithm whether they are interested in posts they see or not. TikTok already has a similar feature, where people can reset their “For You” feed by following a few steps.
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Social media
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