Instagram announced on Tuesday the launch of its School Partnership Program, a new initiative aimed at combating cyberbullying in U.S. middle and high schools. The program is designed to help educators identify and report online harassment and other teen safety issues that happen on campus directly to Instagram, enabling faster resolutions to cyberbullying incidents.
The program was developed with support from the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD).
Recent studies indicate that only 13% of students who experience cyberbullying report it to their schools, often due to the perception that educators are unable to take meaningful action, according to Dr. Sameer Hinduja, co-director of the Cyberbullying Research Center.
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“Instagram’s new School Partnership Program shifts the narrative by empowering educators to actively address cyberbullying. This system will now fast-track solutions that students and schools have been calling for,” said Dr. Hinduja.
What K-12 Campuses Get When They Participate in Instagram’s School Partnership Program
Schools participating in the program will gain access to features such as prioritized reporting, which expedites the review of content flagged for violating Instagram’s community guidelines. Additionally, educators, parents, and students will receive digital safety resources to help them navigate Instagram more securely.
Participating schools will also display a special profile banner on their official Instagram accounts to signify their partnership and provide credibility to parents and students.
Instagram reports that it has been working with ISTE and ASCD to test the program with 60 schools over the past year, observing encouraging results. Educators involved in the early tests have reported actionable outcomes.
“Within the first week of partnering with Instagram, we saw bullying posts and profiles taken down. Students reported feeling safer, and educators felt supported by this rapid response,” said D.J. Ashford, a Studio Art and Media Teacher at Muwekma Ohlone Middle School.
How Schools Can Join the Program to Address Cyberbullying on Campus
The School Partnership Program is now open for middle and high schools across the United States. To join the program’s waitlist, schools can access their Instagram settings and follow the instructions under ‘Account type and tools’ or ‘Business tools and controls.’ Alternatively, schools can visit Instagram’s dedicated page for educators at about.instagram.com/community/educators for more information.
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The cyberbullying prevention program aligns with Instagram’s broader efforts to promote online safety. Features such as tools for parents to limit Instagram usage during school hours and resources to educate families about safe social media interactions complement the School Partnership Program.
“We want to create digital spaces where students thrive rather than feel intimidated. Partnering with educators is a crucial step toward fostering safer, more inclusive online experiences,” said Instagram in its official announcement
To learn more or sign up for the waitlist, visit about.instagram.com/community/educators.
