Instagram bans #curvy causing outrage among users

Are you offended by the above images?
These are posts that showed up a result of searching for the #curvy tag on Instagram recently… but if you search for the tag now – you won’t see anything. This is because Instagram have now banned the hashtag claiming that it took the step as part of a clampdown on nudity on the platform.
Instagram spokesperson
Campaigners and users alike have been shocked by the move. While #curvy has been banned, other tags including #skinny, #thin and even #fat remain active – as well as far more derogatory, pornographic and explicit terms that we won’t sully your beautiful ears with here, Cybersmilers.
“It is not about #curvy is better than #skinny in society or in the fashion industry. The fight is for inclusivity and acceptance of all shapes and sizes – from a size zero to a 20 – you can be beautiful at any size, as long as you are fit and healthy. So why then is only #curvy banned and not #skinny?
Jenny McQuaile
Director/Producer, Straight/Curve
According to Jenny McQuaile, a director who focuses on inclusion for all body shapes, two thirds of women are considered “curvy” – so isn’t it a bit offensive to ban this tag? The Twittersphere certainly seems to think so!
Sorry @instagram. won’t be using your app if you’re going to be shaming and censoring the #curvy women. Rethink your policies.
— Alexis Starobin (@kittylexy) July 16, 2015
You can hashtag skinny on Instagram but they banned #curvy?? The double standard is unreal pic.twitter.com/p0dveuzZAI — Abby Morse (@abbymorse) July 15, 2015
Other users are hitting back. In a trend started by blogger Katt Cupcake, women are replacing the banned #curvy tag with a misspelled version, #curvee.
In light of @instagram barring #curvy from their searches, tonight at 8pm I will be posting photos with hashtag #curvee… JOIN ME! 8pm!
— Katt Cupcake (@KattCupcake) July 15, 2015
At Cybersmile we’re all about positivity and inclusion – and of course stopping cyberbullying – so as you can imagine we’re not thrilled to hear this news! While it’s of course a good thing to try and protect users from explicit and dangerous content, we’re not sure this is the best way to go about it…
What do you think about Instagram‘s decision? Let us know by tweeting us @CybersmileHQ. (You can still use the #curvy tag on Twitter by the way!)
If you have experienced cyberbullying on Instagram, you can find lots of information and advice in the Social Networks and Apps section of our Help Centre.