This past week Instagram had taken its next step in bullying prevention, by hiding “likes” on posts so only the user can see their own and no one else’s.

This new technique is aimed toward Instagram’s younger users; creating a safer and more inviting platform. They explain their new ideas as “we want your followers to focus on what you share, not how many likes your post gets.”

The new format will alleviate the competition between users, therefore allowing more enjoyment and less stress on “how well your post will do.” There were a few years when the number of “likes” became so apparent to the user that people would only post in certain times to assure they would receive a certain amount of likes in a short period of time.

Instagram’s slogan is “capture and share the world’s moments.” The creation of this app was to communicate with friends and release creativity, but the excessive need for popularity has gotten in the way for its true purpose.

There is already controversy going on with the new changes to the platform, and it has only been a day, but what should we expect since everyone has an opinion and has access to posting it.

A large problem that Instagram has run into is “Social Media Influencers” complaining of losing business since “likes” were their proof for certain brand deals.

Mosseri, Instagram’s founder, announced, “we will make decisions that hurt the business if they help people’s well-being and health” but they will continue to look into ways that will benefit all.

Over the summer, Instagram had really begun to dig into their cyberbullying plan by having a pop up display every time you post something hurtful towards another stating “Are you sure you want to post this?”

According to Instagram’s website, “This intervention gives people a chance to reflect and undo their comment and prevents the recipient from receiving the harmful comment notification.”

Instagram has already found it to stop people from replying negative comments and has begun to impact the development of a friendlier platform.

Instagram is working on implementing a restriction feature that allows users to “restrict” a certain follower. This will make the unwanted follower’s post only visible to them and no one else, as well as not allowing them to know when the user is active or has read a direct message. This new feature is for users that believe unfollowing or blocking bullies can escalate and make their situation worse.

Instagram has become a place of cyberbullying and has led to the deterioration of teens mental health. Adam Mosserri, the head of Instagram, is aware of the issue and has implemented many new techniques and feature in hopes to alleviate or lessen the problem that is causing social media anxiety.

This is only the beginning to Instagram’s new journey on a bully free platform.