The popular social media platform has dropped a bombshell on UK users by removing likes, but what’s the reason?

Instagram is running a trial in the UK making likes private for some users in a hope to ‘relieve pressure’ – and there’s nothing we can do about it. 

The trial initially started in seven countries: Australia, Canada, Brazil, Italy, New Zealand and Japan, but it seems to be popular as it has been extended to the US and now the UK.

Why are likes being hidden? It’s been brought to public attention that users are placing a heavy amount of attention on numbers, and seeking validation in the content they create. 

Instagram says.  “The idea is to try to ‘depressurize’ Instagram, make it less of a competition and give people more space to focus on connecting with people that they love, things that inspire them.” Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri says.

The social media platform has come under fire in the past for its link to poor mental health. The Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) and Young Health Movement (YHM) singled out Instagram as the platform most likely to harm young people’s health and wellbeing in a 2017 study.

 

By Amara Chan