Instagram boss says social media site is 'not yet where it needs to be' on ...

The boss of Instagram has admitted the social media platform is 'not yet where it needs to be' on its handling of content around self-harm and suicide.

Adam Mosseri said a comprehensive review had been launched amid accusations the firm was 'normalising' self-harm and risked the creation of a 'suicide generation'.

Mr Mosseri said the recent case of 14-year-old Molly Russell, whose father said she took her own life after looking at self-harm posts, had left him 'deeply moved'.

He added that Instagram was investing in technology to better identify inappropriate images and would also begin using sensitivity screens to hide images from view until users actively choose to look at them. 

Adam Mosseri

Molly Russell

Instagram boss Adam Mosseri (left) said the case of 14-year-old Molly Russell (right), whose father said she took her own life after looking at self-harm posts, had left him 'deeply moved'

Writing in the Daily Telegraph, he said: 'We need to do everything we can to keep the most vulnerable people who use our platform safe.

'To be very clear, we do not allow posts that promote or encourage suicide or self-harm.

'We rely heavily on our community to report this content, and remove it as soon as it's found.

'The bottom line is we do not yet find enough of these images before they're seen by other people.'

His comments come as social media and technology firms face increasing scrutiny over their practices.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said last week legislation may be needed to police disturbing content on social media.

Mr Mosseri said a comprehensive review had been launched amid accusations the firm was 'normalising' self-harm and risked the creation of a 'suicide generation'

Mr Mosseri said a comprehensive review had been launched amid accusations the firm was 'normalising' self-harm and risked the creation of a 'suicide generation'

Meanwhile, separate reports by the Children's Commissioner for England and the House of Commons called on firms to take more responsibility for their content. 

Algorithms on Instagram mean that youngsters who view one account glorifying self-harm and suicide can see recommendations to follow similar sites.

Experts say some images on the website, which has a minimum joining age of 13, may act as an 'incitement' to self-harm.

Instagram's guidelines say posts should not 'glorify self-injury' while searches using suspect words, such as 'self-harm', are met with a warning. But users are easily able to view the pictures by ignoring the offers of help. 

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