Meta has been blocking teens from searching LGBTQ-related content on Instagram for months, according to a report from User Mag. The policy, which Meta now says was accidental, was aimed at restricting “sexually suggestive content.” Folks, just because there’s an LGBTQ hashtag doesn’t mean it’s “sexual.”
NEW: Meta’s Instagram blocked teens from searching LGBTQ-related content for months.
@taylorlorenz.bsky.social reports that Meta was categorizing dozens of LGBTQ hashtags, including #Lesbian, #Bisexual, and #Trans, as “sensitive content.” [image or embed] — GLAAD (@glaad.bsky.social) January 6, 2025 at 1:15 PM
From Taylor Lorenz at User Mag:
Posts with LGBTQ+ hashtags including #lesbian, #bisexual, #gay, #trans, #queer, #nonbinary, #pansexial, #transwomen, #Tgirl, #Tboy, #Tgirlsarebeautiful, #bisexualpride, #lesbianpride, and dozens of others were hidden for any users who had their sensitive content filter turned on. Teenagers have the sensitive content filter turned on by default.
When teen users attempted to search LGBTQ terms they were shown a blank page and a prompt from Meta to review the platform’s “sensitive content” restrictions, which discuss why the app hides “sexually explicit” content.
Meta reversed the restrictions on LGBTQ search terms after User Mag reached out for comment, saying that it was in error. “These search terms and hashtags were mistakenly restricted.”
It’s worth noting that during this same time period heterosexual content and content centered on straight cisgender couples (even featuring romantic situations) has not been restricted. Taylor notes in her report that LGBTQ creators on Instagram have experienced “shadow bans” and seen their content labeled as “non-recommendable” for years. Meta says it is unsure when the restrictive policy began. Although, back in September, Meta began a policy of having users under the age of 18 to use “Instagram Teen Accounts,” a setting which could only be reversed by a parent or guardian. The focus of the policy change was to “limit … the content [teenagers] see, and help ensure their time is well spent.”
Meta, the parent company of Instagram, is under fire for its treatment of #LGBTQ+ users after journalist @taylorlorenz.bsky.social revealed that the platform had restricted LGBTQ-related hashtags for months.
— The Advocate (@advocate.com) January 6, 2025 at 2:07 PM
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