Instagram Will Hide Posts About Cosmetic Surgery And Weight Loss Products From Under 18s

Instagram made waves around the world when it decided to hide the number of likes that users would get on a post.

Well, the social media platform is going to create more headaches for influencers by blocking posts about cosmetic surgery and weight-loss products from users under the age of 18.

There's no denying that Instagram is littered with posts from people who have been paid to flog everything from botox and fillers to products like tea and lollipops that promise to make you skinny.

So the platform is hoping to shield these types of posts from people who might be vulnerable to these messages.

PA

Not only that, but Instagram will hide posts that have a user promoting a product with a price in the picture or description.

Instagram's public policy manager, Emma Collins, said: "We want Instagram to be a positive place for everyone that uses it and this policy is part of our ongoing work to reduce the pressure that people can sometimes feel as a result of social media."

The move is being celebrated by activists who have been campaigning for this for years.

The Good Place star Jameela Jamil hasn't been shy about her criticism of celebrities like the Kardashians and Cardi B for promoting these types of products.

Khloe Kardashian/Instagram

When news broke of the announcement, Jameela was stoked.

"After a bunch of shouting, screaming, and petitioning," she wrote on Instagram, "we have managed to get the attention of the people at the top, and they have heard us and want to protect us.

"And this is just the beginning of our efforts. As of now, if you're under 18, you will no longer be exposed to any diet/detox products, and for all other ages; all fad products that have bogus, unrealistic claims will be taken down and easy to report.

"I've been working with Instagram all year towards this, who were amazing to deal with, and they expressed that they passionately care about creating a safer space for us all online.

Instagram

"This happened so much faster than I expected and I'm so proud and happy and relieved. WELL DONE to the many people who have been working towards this huge change. This is a mass effort.

"This is an extraordinary win that is going to make a big difference. Influencers have to be more responsible."

That last line is an interesting take from this because this decision will mainly affect them. Regular users would rarely promote products unless they wanted the brand to pay attention.

So brands and influencers will need to adjust the way they do things from now on.

Topics: Instagram, Technology

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Trending Journalist at LADbible. His first job was as a newsreader and journalist at the award winning Sydney radio station, Macquarie Radio. He was solely responsible for the content broadcast on multiple stations across Australia when the MH17, Germanwings and AirAsia disasters unfolded. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign.

@stewartperrie