How Instgram's new tool that filters out offensive messages will work

Instagram users will be able to filter out abusive messages and comments they receive as part of a new update unveiled by the social media platform.

Similar to muting words on Twitter the new tool will enable users to build a list of offensive terms. Messages containing the words will then be automatically filtered away.

Premier League footballers and other sporting stars have revealed widespread racist, sexist and other abuse sent to them on the platform in recent months, sparking outrage.

A number of players and football clubs have taken part in social media blackouts in protest at tech firms and their policing of such content.

How will the new tool work?

The Facebook owned company announced a new tool that will allow users to automatically filter Direct Message (DM) requests from people they do not follow if the messages contain offensive words, phrases or emojis.

User will be able to build a list – using terms on a predefined list created by Instagram in collaboration with anti-discrimination and anti-bullying groups as well as any others added by users themselves – which will then be used to filter out any messages containing these terms, phrases or emojis.