Instagram will start restricting underage users from viewing posts revolving cosmetic surgeries and weight loss products due to its new policy.
Everyone is on Instagram these days, including teenagers and children under the age of 18. At the same time, many influencers and celebrities are using Instagram to promote brands and products, including weight loss pills and drinks and also cosmetic procedures to “fix their flaws”. This is especially unhealthy for the younger audience who have higher tendency to be influenced by whoever they idolized.
In addition, social media has been reported to be a factor in pressuring its users to conform to certain expectations, hence why Instagram is taking additional measures to ensure that the platform is “a positive place for everyone”.
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It wasn’t that its previous policy allowed promotion of said products, but with the growing influence from famous individuals on the platform, the company had to implement the new policy.
As reported by The Verge, age restriction will be applied to posts that come with the price of the (weight loss) product and/or posts that encourage users to purchase the products. If the posts claims miraculous results and links commercial offers like discount codes, then it will be removed entirely from Instagram.