Exploring the Line Between Banter and Bullying with Instagram

Cybersmile-and-Instagram-launch-anti-bullying-campaignCybersmile-and-Instagram-launch-anti-bullying-campaign
A compilation of images showing the cover art, statistical data, and a portrait of Mo Gilligan.

We are proud to announce the launch of an exciting Anti-Bullying Week campaign alongside Instagram to explore and highlight attitudes toward banter and bullying online.

From meme accounts to playground pranks, banter is the quintessential part of British culture. However, banter can also be used as an excuse for bullying or accidentally go too far. That's why we're thrilled to be working with Instagram on this important campaign.

As part of the campaign, we will be publishing brand new research and working alongside celebrities and influencers, including Zoe Sugg, Chessie King, and comedian Mo Gilligan, to help people learn more about how individuals are affected by banter. The campaign will reinforce how being mindful of the fine line between banter and bullying is important in order to protect this unique kind of humor that so many people feel so passionately about.

We are proud to work alongside Instagram on such an important campaign. It is our hope that this campaign will encourage young people to talk more about the line that exists between banter and bullying and be more mindful of when they are in danger of crossing it.

Dan Raisbeck, Co-founder, The Cybersmile Foundation

Today sees the launch of our national Banter or Bullying? report. It offers valuable insights into the relationship between banter and bullying across the UK and encourages young people to be more aware and talk more about the line between banter and bullying.

Over 3000 respondents aged 13-18 participated in the study, which focused on areas such as where the line between banter and bullying exists, if people use banter as an excuse for bullying, the impact of banter on bystanders, and many more.

Instagram is proud to be working alongside The Cybersmile Foundation. Like Cybersmile, we share a belief that all forms of digital abuse, harassment and bullying are as unacceptable online as they are offline. Together we will be shining a light on an important and often overlooked issue: how banter can either be used as an excuse for bullying, or accidentally go too far and leave people upset.

Kira Wong O'Connor, EMEA Policy Programmes Manager, Instagram

In addition to the launch of our Banter or Bullying? report, as part of the initiative throughout Anti-Bullying Week, we will be launching a number of social media activities, which include a special takeover of our Instagram account and the sharing of top tips for safe and positive social media use for users of all ages.

Cybersmile tips for staying safe on Instagram social posts
A co-branded campaign infographic.

Instagram is committed to leading the fight against online bullying and has introduced a number of features to give young people greater control over what they see and experience.

Among the new features are 'Comment Warning,' an AI-powered feature that asks people to think twice about a post that may contain bullying before it's shared. If the technology detects potential bullying in a caption, it will give people the option to edit or undo that post before it is uploaded.

Instagram's 'Restrict' tool also empowers teens to quietly protect their account while still keeping an eye on a bully. Anyone can report or block someone for bullying behavior within the app, as well as create bespoke comment filters to hide specific words or emojis that upset them.

We previously teamed up with Instagram and Chessie King on a high-profile body confidence campaign in 2018, which delivered an important message to millions of internet users and won multiple awards, including a Gold Lion at the Cannes International Festival of Creativity.