SYDNEY, Australia – Instagram started hiding"likes" on its platform in Australia, Brazil and several other major markets on Thursday, July 18, saying it wanted to ease pressure on users, following criticism about its impacts on mental health.no longer be able to see the number of likes"We want Instagram to be a place where people feel comfortable expressing themselves," Facebook Australia and New Zealand policy director Mia Garlick said in a statement.
Although Instagram described the hiding of the likes for users as a"test", no deadline was given for when it would end. And while Instagram users will still be able to view the total number of likes on their own posts, they will need to click through to another page in order to do so.Social media giants have faced increased scrutiny over the impact their platforms can have on users, and there is some research to suggest Instagram can negatively affect the mental health of young people who use it.
Another statement from Instagram as it announced the trial changes for the likes also emphasised they were in response to concerns about the pressures that users felt.
Lol...iiyak nyan mga 'influencers' 🤣