Social Media Privacy and Safety Tools



Instagram

Filter Comments

  • Block Specific Comments: Hide comments from blocked individuals, which only they can see.
    • Go to your profile > Menu (3 horizontal lines) > Settings > Privacy > Comments > "Block Comments From" > Enter usernames to block.
  • Hide Offensive Comments: Conceal inappropriate or offensive comments.
    • Go to your profile > Menu (3 horizontal lines) > Settings > Privacy > Comments > Toggle on "Hide Offensive Comments."
  • Filter Specific Words/Phrases: Hide comments containing specific words or phrases.
    • Go to your profile > Menu (3 horizontal lines) > Settings > Privacy > Comments > Toggle on "Manual Filter" > Add words/phrases (comma-separated) or choose "Filter Most Reported Words."

Restrict an Account

  • Protect yourself from unwanted interactions without blocking or unfollowing.
    • Through settings: Click Settings > Privacy > "Restricted Accounts."
    • Through comments: Swipe left on a comment > Click Exclamation Point Button > Select "Restrict."
    • Through their profile: Click the menu (...) button > Select "Restrict."

Filter Your Feed

  • Mute an Individual: Stop seeing posts from someone you follow without blocking.
    • Mute their post: Menu (...) above their post > Select "Mute."
    • Mute their profile: Click "Following" > Select “Mute” > Choose "Stories," "Posts," or both.
  • Block an Individual: Prevent them from seeing your posts and interacting with you.
    • Go to the individual's profile > Menu (...) > Select “Block.”

Report Content

  • Reporting content sends it for review by Instagram.
    • Report a post: Menu (...) > Select “Report” > Choose "Spam" or “Inappropriate.”
    • Report an individual’s profile: Menu (...) > Select “Report” > Choose "Spam" or “Inappropriate.”
    • Report a comment: Swipe left on the comment > Select exclamation mark button > Select “Report This Comment” > Choose "Spam" or “Inappropriate.”
    • Report a direct message: Information (i) button > Select “Report” > Choose "Spam" or “Inappropriate.”

Twitter

Filter Sensitive Content

  • Use the sensitivity filter to hide posts with sensitive content, but it may filter out desired content too.
    • To filter content: Twitter.com on desktop > Menu (...) > Settings and privacy > Privacy and safety > Uncheck "Display media that may contain sensitive content."
    • To filter content in search results: Twitter.com on desktop > Menu (...) > Settings and privacy > Privacy and safety > Search filters > Select “Hide sensitive content.”

Filter Specific Content and Triggers

  • Filter specific words or phrases.
    • Desktop: Menu (...) > Content preferences > Safety > Muted > Muted words > Add words/phrases.
    • Mobile: Swipe left to reveal the menu > Select “Settings and privacy” > Content preferences > Muted > Muted words > Select “Add.”

Filter Individuals

  • Mute an Individual: Stop seeing content from them.
    • Visit their profile > Menu (...) > Select “Mute @username.”
  • Block an Individual: Prevent them from seeing your content and interacting with you.
    • Visit their profile > Menu (...) > Select “Block @username.”

Reporting Content

  • Reporting content on Twitter sends a report for review.
    • Report a post: Dropdown arrow icon > Report > Select “It’s abusive or harmful.”
    • Report an individual’s account: Menu (...) > Report > Select “It’s abusive or harmful.”
    • Report a direct message: Information (i) button > Report @username > Select harm type.

Facebook

*Note: Facebook relies on user reports for filtering sensitive content.*

Filter Individuals

  • Unfriend an Individual: Remove them from your friend’s list.
    • Visit the individual’s profile > Select “Unfriend.”
  • Unfollow an Individual: Remain friends but stop seeing their posts.
    • Visit the individual’s profile > Select “Unfollow.”
  • Block an Individual: Prevent them from seeing your content and interacting with you.
    • Desktop: Account dropdown menu > Settings & Privacy > Settings > Blocking > Add usernames.
    • Mobile: Menu button at the bottom right > Settings & Privacy > Blocking.

Restrict an Individual

  • Keep your non-public posts hidden from an individual.
    • Visit their profile > Select “Friends” > Edit Friend List > Select “Restricted.”

Report Content

  • Reporting content sends a report to Facebook for review.
    • Report an individual’s post: Menu (...) > Select “Find support or report post.”
    • Report a specific comment: Hold down (mobile) or Menu (...) (desktop) on the comment > Select “Find Support or Report Comment.”
    • Report a private message: Go to the specific conversation > “Privacy and Support” > “Something’s Wrong.”

Source: RAINN

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