Instagram has launched a new “silent mode” to reduce the number of alerts people see and help users fight smartphone addiction.
Rolling out today to users in the UK, silent mode disables notifications and sends automatic replies to direct messages (DMs).
It also adds a new “silent mode” status under Instagram profile names, along with a small crescent moon icon, which others can see.
Instagram users can turn silent mode on and off in app settings and choose to set a time period for it to turn on automatically.
Rolling out to global users starting today, silent mode disables notifications, sends automatic replies to direct messages (DMs), and adds a “silent mode” status under profile names
Users will also get a prompt asking if they want to turn silent mode on after spending “several minutes” on Instagram at night.
Silent Mode is available to users in the UK, US, Ireland, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, while other countries will roll out “soon”.
According to Meta, Instagram’s parent company owned by Mark Zuckerberg, Quiet Mode is especially for teens to “focus and set healthy boundaries” on the app.
“Today we’re introducing new ways for people, especially teens, to manage their time and experiences on Instagram,” he said in a blog post.
“These new features reflect our ongoing work to create things that are meaningful for young people, and that are truly useful and useful for creators.”
Meta hopes that silent mode will encourage users to set boundaries with their friends and followers by letting them know they’re unavailable.
According to the company, feedback revealed that teen users often feel pressured to “feel obligated to be available” through the platform.
Users can tap the moon icon under their profile name to see when silent mode should end
Reducing the number of likes and DM notifications will help Instagram users put their devices down (file photo)
Studies have already found a link between excessive smartphone use and poor mental health, especially among teenagers.
However, other studies have suggested that a lack of phone notifications contributes to “fear of missing out” and makes people check their phones more.
All Instagram users can find the new Quiet Mode option by heading to Settings, followed by Notifications.
When a friend or follower sends a message to someone in silent mode, they receive a reply stating that they were not notified because the tool was activated.
Additionally, users can tap the moon icon under their profile name to see when the mode is set to end.
Silent Mode is similar to a tool called Take a Break, launched in late 2021, which sends a prompt to stop using the app.
The prompt says, ‘Do you want a break? Regular breaks can help reset you. You can now enable reminders to take breaks when it’s convenient for you.
Users then have the option to tap “Enable” or “Not Now.” If they select “Enable”, they can choose to receive reminders to take a break for 10, 20 or 30 minutes.
Also rolling out today is an update to Instagram’s Hidden Words tool, which previously hid offensive DM requests and comments.
Using the Word Hidden tool, Instagram users can hide featured posts in Explorer that contain certain words, emojis, or hashtags in the caption.
With the update, users can now hide featured posts in Explorer that contain certain words, emojis, or hashtags in the caption.
Instagram has also given parents more control over their child’s Instagram account, building on a range of features released last year.
Parents will now be able to see their teen’s Instagram account settings, including defaults and privacy and content controls, and will receive a notification if their child updates a setting or unblocks someone.
Instagram allows users to create an account if they are 13 or older, but between 13 and 17 there is a parental control option.
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