Explorer

Instagram Making It Easy For Teens To Find Drugs

Instagram says it prohibits buying and selling of drugs. However, a new report suggests that minor users had access to a range of pharmaceuticals on the platform.

New Delhi: Meta-owned photo-sharing platform Instagram says it prohibits buying and selling of drugs. However, a new report suggests that minor users had access to a range of pharmaceuticals on the platform. According to a Tech Transparency Project (TTP) report, the platform allows teen users as young as 13 to find potentially deadly drugs for sale in just two clicks.

TTP created multiple Instagram accounts for minors between the ages of 13 and 17 and used them to test teen access to controlled substances on the platform.

Not only did Instagram allow the hypothetical teens to easily search for age-restricted and illegal drugs, but the platform's algorithms helped the underage accounts connect directly with drug dealers selling everything from opioids to party drugs, the report said.

The investigation found that when a hypothetical teen user logged into the Instagram app, it only took two clicks to reach an account selling drugs like Xanax. In contrast, it took more than double the number of clicks -- five -- for the teen to log out of Instagram.

The report also mentioned that Instagram bans some drug-related hashtags like #mdma (for the party drug ecstasy), but if the teen user searched for #mdma, Instagram auto-filled alternative hashtags for the same drug into the search bar.

When a teen account followed a drug dealer on Instagram, the platform started recommending other accounts selling drugs, highlighting how the company's algorithms try to keep young people engaged regardless of dangerous content.

Recently, the photo-sharing platform has received backlash after whistleblower Frances Haugen leaked internal company research suggesting Instagram's negative effect on teenagers. Post that, the platform launched a 'Take a Break' and other safety features for teenagers.

View More
Advertisement
Advertisement
25°C
New Delhi
Rain: 100mm
Humidity: 97%
Wind: WNW 47km/h
See Today's Weather
powered by
Accu Weather
Advertisement

Top Headlines

Elections 2024: Maharashtra, Jharkhand Brace For Results Today In Mahayuti Vs MVA, INDIA Vs NDA Battles
Maharashtra, Jharkhand Brace For Poll Results Today In Mahayuti Vs MVA, INDIA Vs NDA Battles
Manipur Crisis: Govt To Deploy 90 More CAPF Companies, 258 Dead In Clashes Since May 2023, Security Advisor Says
Manipur Crisis: Govt To Deploy 90 More CAPF Companies, 258 Dead In Clashes Since May 2023
Delhi Pollution: AQI Drops To 'Severe' Again; Gopal Rai Urges Action Post SC Criticism On GRAP Enforcement
Delhi Pollution: AQI Drops To 'Severe' Again; Gopal Rai Urges Action Post SC Criticism On GRAP Enforcement
Jharkhand Election Results: Hemant Soren To Champai Soren — Battles Of Prestige And Revenge To Watch Out For
Hemant Soren To Champai Soren — Battles Of Families, Prestige & Revenge In J'khand Polls
Advertisement
ABP Premium

Videos

What will happen in the Maharashtra & Jharkhand Election Result 2024? | ABP NewsDelhi News: 'Rewadi Samvad Abhiyan launched' Cabinet Minister Imran Hussain says he will go amidst the publicBreaking News: Big news related to Maharashtra cash scandal | Vinod Tawde | BJP | Congress | ABP NewsUP Bypolls: Akhilesh gets angry as inspector points a pistol at him, makes a big revelation | ABP News

Photo Gallery

Embed widget