You Can Now Reset Your IG’s Algorithm – Governments Push For A Safer Online Experience

Instagram is introducing a game-changing “reset” feature that gives users the power to refresh their feed, Explore, and Reels recommendations. This new tool is part of Meta’s ongoing efforts to create a safer environment for users, especially young people. The announcement coincides with the UK government’s renewed focus on online safety regulations, making it a timely response to growing concerns about harmful content.

The feature allows users to clear their personalized recommendations, potentially reducing exposure to harmful or unwanted material. This move follows Meta’s earlier step in September to make teen accounts more private. The global rollout is set to begin soon, offering users greater control over their Instagram experience.

DISCOVER: Instagram’s Vertical Grid: The End of the Classic Square?

MORE: Why you should consider a non-aesthetic Instagram feed

Government Calls for “Safety by Design”

The timing of Instagram’s announcement aligns with a speech by Peter Kyle, Labour’s shadow technology secretary, who emphasized the need for tech companies to build safety into their platforms from the outset. He called for increased transparency and accountability from tech giants like Meta.

“From baking safety into social media sites from the outset to increasing platform transparency, these priorities will allow us to monitor progress, collate evidence, innovate, and act where laws are coming up short,” Kyle explained.

Peter Kyle and Hilary Benn. Courtesy of Sky News

DISCOVER: The impact Instagram’s Creator Marketplace will have on influencers and brands

MORE: 10 Tips for taking the perfect food pictures on Instagram

His remarks underscore the government’s commitment to ensuring companies proactively tackle online harm rather than reacting after damage has occurred.

Child Safety Advocates Call for More Action

While many have welcomed these changes, child protection advocates say there’s still a long way to go. Ian Russell, chair of trustees at the Molly Rose Foundation, highlighted the importance of addressing structural issues in online safety regulations.

DISCOVER: Instagram’s Vertical Grid: The End of the Classic Square?

MORE: I Met My Best Friend on Bumble BFF (seriously)

“This announcement outlines a much-needed course correction, vital for improved online safety, and to prevent the new regulation falling badly short of expectations,” Russell said. However, he added that a stronger Online Safety Act is necessary to focus on harm prevention.

Maria Neophytou, director of strategy and knowledge at the NSPCC, echoed these concerns. She urged platforms to be more proactive in addressing child safety, particularly in private messaging.

MORE: You can actually ‘hide likes’ on Instagram now

DISCOVER: Instagram bin the influencer gold mine that was ‘swipe up’

“They should be disrupting ‘safe havens’ for offenders by tackling the hidden abuse taking place through private messaging,” she said. Neophytou also praised the government for pushing innovation that can prevent harm, saying the regulatory framework could “change the online world for children.”

A Step Forward, but More Work Ahead

Instagram’s reset feature is a significant step in giving users more control and reducing harm, but critics stress that deeper systemic changes are still needed. With new regulations and features like this on the horizon, the pressure is on for tech companies to step up their game in protecting users online.