Instagram will have the option to filter out ‘sensitive messages’

Facebook has announced a new option for Instagram that allows users to choose how many “sensitive posts” they want to see in Instagram’s Discover screen. They can choose to allow suggestive messages or filter them out.

Under sensitive messages, Facebook classifies posts that do not necessarily break Instagram’s usage guidelines, but can be sexually oriented or suggest violence. The new mode should give users more influence what content they see on the Discover page.

Users can choose to allow, restrict, and further restrict. By default, the mode is set to restrict. This filters out most photos and videos that are potentially offensive. Users under the age of eighteen cannot choose to allow sensitive messages; they are filtered out by default.

To customize what is filtered, users must click Account in the settings and then Sensitive content control. Facebook does not explain how Instagram filters these messages.

By default, Instagram removes violent posts, nudity, sexual acts, and posts promoting tobacco, erotic products, and drugs. Yet there are many posts that are on the edge. People who are annoyed by this can use the new option to filter that content as well.