Co-watching , zero tolerance for fake news and new stickers for solidarity : here are Instagram's strategies to combat fake news about the coronavirus and reduce the distances between users, explained by INSTAGO.
Instagram shortens distances: the Co-watching option is born
To help people maintain social relationships based on sharing even while remaining at a distance from their friends, Instagram has decided to implement a series of new features , including the possibility of watching live videos with friends during video calls .
Co-watching is the new feature, designed to support users during the Coronavirus emergency.
Instagram has included a function in group video calls with which to be able to show all participants the content that users like, recommended or saved.
During a group video call, which is activated in the Direct mailbox and can accommodate up to six people, you can "browse" with your friends the favorite posts of the feed and obviously comment on them.
To view the contents, touch the photo icon in the lower left corner of the video chat in progress. In this way, you can easily share the contents to talk about them together, suggest new profiles to follow or otherwise animate the call.
A way to carry out daily activities with your friends, while still staying at home.
But the innovations fielded by Instagram regarding the coronavirus do not end there.
Since the World Health Organization declared a public health emergency , the platform has taken several measures to allow people to access accurate information.
After co-watching, the popular social network is adding other, more informative, functions related to the pandemic, such as links to resources from the World Health Organization on Coronavirus and to the ministries of health of different countries .
In addition, all content reported by the " fact-checker " will be excluded from the Explore and Hashtag screen , made less visible or even deleted .
Some content deemed reliable and shared by certain sources will also obtain a badge that will differentiate them from all others.
There is also no room for hoaxes and the usual conspiracy theories that are reported by the main global health organizations and local health authorities.
These false reports could cause strange beliefs, mislead people, or speculate on the global emergency.
On the commercial side, however, Instagram has banned misleading advertisements for all products that refer to the pandemic and that " create a state of urgency, promote treatment or promise to avoid contagion ".
No mercy therefore for alarming messages beyond measure or "magic formulas" that promise immediate healings.
Also stop the advertisements that promote specific medical supplies such as, for example, the masks, on which we are witnessing a speculation never seen before.
Augmented reality effects such as masks are also prohibited: unless they have been developed in collaboration with a recognized health organization.
Instagram and solidarity: new stickers are coming
More tools also for solidarity: the app is making the sticker available for donations also in other countries. This in a new section dedicated to the emergency that allows people to quickly identify the non-profit organizations to be supported.
The challenge of the coronavirus calls everyone to the appeal, for this reason the “Iorestoacasa” sticker is also available to add to your stories.
This sticker allows you to appear in a shared Story that allows you to see how other people are experiencing this period of isolation.