(Image Credit: Instagram) Continuing its effort to serve as a COVID-19 public health forum, Instagram this week introduced additional resources aimed at educating users and supporting those in need—as well as a new way to browse the site with friends over video chat.
"To help people stay connected, we've launched media sharing," the Facebook-owned platform announced in a blog post.
Get started by simply launching a video chat from the Direct inbox (via the camera icon in the upper right corner) and tapping the "Posts" option at the bottom of the screen.
Together, you can swoon over adorable puppy videos you've liked, restaurant photos your friend saved, and accounts Instagram suggests.
Regular users have probably already spotted the new "Stay Home" sticker, which, when added to a shared story, allows followers to see how you're practicing social distancing.
But with newfound domestication comes newfound ways to propagate misinformation.
Instagram is fighting fake news with educational messages connecting folks to resources from the World Health Organization and local officials, as well as new stickers featuring reminders to wash your hands and distance yourself from others.
"In addition to promoting credible information throughout our app, we're making several changes to reduce the spread of misinformation," according to the blog post, which tipped the removal of COVID-19 accounts from recommendations and the Explore tab, "unless posted by a credible health organization." Content rated false by third-party fact checkers will also be downranked in feeds and Stories.
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"We will continue to prioritize safety, connecting people with accurate information, and encouraging support as the COVID-19 outbreak evolves," Instagram said, pointing users toward the World Health Organization website for the latest news and information.
Facebook's other social network WhatsApp, recently launched its own coronavirus information hub that presents guidance for health care professionals, educators, non-profits, governments, and local businesses.
(Image Credit: Instagram) Continuing its effort to serve as a COVID-19 public health forum, Instagram this week introduced additional resources aimed at educating users and supporting those in need—as well as a new way to browse the site with friends over video chat.
"To help people stay connected, we've launched media sharing," the Facebook-owned platform announced in a blog post.
Get started by simply launching a video chat from the Direct inbox (via the camera icon in the upper right corner) and tapping the "Posts" option at the bottom of the screen.
Together, you can swoon over adorable puppy videos you've liked, restaurant photos your friend saved, and accounts Instagram suggests.
Regular users have probably already spotted the new "Stay Home" sticker, which, when added to a shared story, allows followers to see how you're practicing social distancing.
But with newfound domestication comes newfound ways to propagate misinformation.
Instagram is fighting fake news with educational messages connecting folks to resources from the World Health Organization and local officials, as well as new stickers featuring reminders to wash your hands and distance yourself from others.
"In addition to promoting credible information throughout our app, we're making several changes to reduce the spread of misinformation," according to the blog post, which tipped the removal of COVID-19 accounts from recommendations and the Explore tab, "unless posted by a credible health organization." Content rated false by third-party fact checkers will also be downranked in feeds and Stories.
Recommended by Our Editors
"We will continue to prioritize safety, connecting people with accurate information, and encouraging support as the COVID-19 outbreak evolves," Instagram said, pointing users toward the World Health Organization website for the latest news and information.
Facebook's other social network WhatsApp, recently launched its own coronavirus information hub that presents guidance for health care professionals, educators, non-profits, governments, and local businesses.
