Instagram has a new program for school officials to report bullying

Engadget - Mar 25th, 2025

Instagram, owned by Meta, is launching a 'Schools Partnership Program' to tackle bullying by involving school officials directly. This initiative allows teachers and administrators to fast-track reports of bullying on Instagram, ensuring they are prioritized in the moderation queue and addressed within 48 hours. Participating schools will receive a 'school partner' badge and guidance on using reporting tools and resources, though Meta will not increase its moderation staff for this program. Early tests with 60 schools have shown promising results, and schools across the U.S. can now join a waitlist.

This program builds on Instagram's previous anti-bullying measures, such as comment limiting and the 'restrict' feature, providing a more direct approach for schools to address bullying. By empowering schools to report specific incidents, Meta aims to streamline the handling of safety issues affecting young teens. However, the effectiveness of this initiative depends on how well schools can leverage the existing reporting channels to add context and expedite resolutions. This move reflects Meta's continued efforts to address online safety concerns and improve user experiences for teens on its platform.

Meta Education Instagram Online Safety Anti Bullying Schools Partnership Program Social Media Moderation

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

6.8

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides a clear and generally accurate overview of Instagram's new Schools Partnership Program, which aims to address bullying on the platform. It effectively communicates the program's purpose and potential benefits, making it relevant to ongoing discussions about online safety. However, the article could benefit from more diverse perspectives, including those of school officials and independent experts, to enhance its credibility and balance. While the article is timely and addresses a significant public interest issue, it lacks critical analysis of potential challenges and limitations, which may reduce its impact and engagement potential. Overall, the article is well-written and accessible, but it could be strengthened by greater transparency and inclusion of diverse viewpoints.

Accuracy

The story provides a generally accurate account of Instagram's new Schools Partnership Program, detailing its purpose and functionality. The claim that the program aims to fast-track reports of bullying from schools is supported by the statement that reports will be prioritized in the moderation queue. However, the story lacks specific evidence or confirmation from Instagram regarding the 48-hour response time and the effectiveness of the pilot program with 60 schools. Although the story mentions that Meta is not hiring additional moderators, it doesn't delve into how the existing resources will handle the increased workload, which is a crucial aspect needing verification.

Balance

The article presents a balanced view by highlighting both the positive aspects of the Schools Partnership Program and the potential concerns, such as the lack of new moderators. However, it could benefit from including perspectives from school officials or parents to provide a more comprehensive view of the program's potential impact. The article does not seem to favor Instagram unduly but does not critically analyze the challenges schools might face in implementing the program effectively.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and clearly communicates the key points about Instagram's new initiative. It uses straightforward language and logical flow to explain the program's purpose, the role of schools, and the expected outcomes. However, it could improve clarity by providing more detailed explanations of terms like 'fast-track' and how exactly schools can report incidents effectively.

Source quality

The article appears to rely primarily on statements from Instagram or Meta representatives, which are credible sources for information about the program. However, it lacks input from independent experts or affected parties such as school administrators or students. Including such perspectives would enhance the article's credibility and provide a more nuanced understanding of the program's implications.

Transparency

The article does not clearly disclose the methodology used to gather information about the Schools Partnership Program. It lacks transparency regarding the sources of its claims, such as the 'promising' results of the pilot program and the specific schools involved. Additionally, the absence of direct quotes or detailed explanations from Meta about how the program will be implemented and monitored limits the transparency of the reporting.