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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Technology
Sarah Marsh and Guardian community team

Has Instagram changed after its ban on self-harm images?

Instagram on the screen of a smartphone
Instagram on the screen of a smartphone. Photograph: Loïc Venance/AFP via Getty Images

Last year Instagram announced that it would ban all graphic self-harm images as part of a series of changes made in response to the death of the British teenager Molly Russell.

The photo-sharing platform made the decision after being met with a tide of public anger over the suicide of a 14-year-old girl, whose Instagram account contained distressing material about depression and suicide.

A year on, we want to hear your views on how the platform has improved the situation for people. Are images of self-harm still visible via private accounts? Are certain hashtags used to unearth such images? Has the ban helped? What other areas need to be addressed? How do you feel about the support that is offered via the platform?

Share your views


We want to hear your thoughts on this. Please get in touch via the encrypted
form below. Your responses will only be seen by the Guardian. If you are under 16, you need permission from an adult to respond to our form.

Please do leave contact details as one of our journalists may be in touch to discuss your submission further.

In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org.

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