A new School Partnership Program for Instagram has been launched to assist educators in reporting teen safety issues, including bullying, directly to the platform. Developed in collaboration with the International Society for Technology in Education and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, the program aims to enhance responses to teen safety concerns in schools.
Research indicates that only 13% of cyberbullying cases are reported to schools, often due to educators feeling powerless to intervene. The program seeks to change this by fast-tracking solutions requested by students and educators. Instagram has also introduced Teen Accounts, which provide parents with tools to ensure their teens have safe online experiences, including protections against unwanted contact and inappropriate content.
The program offers several benefits to participating schools:
- Prioritized Reporting: Reports from school partners regarding potential violations of Instagram’s Community Standards will be prioritized, with updates provided on the status of these reports.
- Educational Resources: Schools will receive materials to help educators, parents, and students navigate Instagram safely.
- Profile Banner: Schools will display a banner indicating their partnership with Instagram, allowing parents and students to easily identify official partners.
Feedback from educators indicates that the program has already led to the removal of bullying content and has improved student safety. The initiative is now open to all US middle and high schools, with enrollment available through Instagram settings. The goal is to foster a healthier digital culture in schools and provide timely support for youth safety.
