Instagram's Newest Features Aim to Keep Its Users Safe and Protected

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Instagram has been pretty good at maintaining a reputation for trying to provide a safe social media space, and on Tuesday, it took even greater steps to ensure the protection and safety for those who use the app--500 million active Instagrammers.

Users can now not only like and reply to comments on their photos, but turn off the comment section entirely if they would rather their post stand on its own. Additionally, those who choose to keep their account private can now remove followers with a simple tap, instead of having to block them entirely, which was the case before this new feature.

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Another huge addition that the Instagram team is making to the platform is the ability to report self-injury related postings anonymously. In a blog post released today detailing these new features, Kevin Systrom, co-founder and CEO of Instagram wrote, "we want to continue to be a place where people can share deeply personal moments. From time to time, you may see friends struggling and in need of support. If you believe that someone you care about may be thinking about injuring themselves, you can report it anonymously, and we will connect your friend to organizations that offer help."

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"These updates still mark the beginning," Systrom concluded. "We will continue to work to maintain Instagram as a welcoming and safe place for everyone." Here, here!