Instagram to launch new tool to combat abuse after Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling targeted

Instagram to launch tool THIS WEEK that prevents players from seeing abusive messages – after removing sickening racist abuse aimed at Raheem Sterling just 48 hours on from English football’s social media boycott

  • Instagram will launch a tool to prevent players from seeing abusive messages
  • The new system will come into place this week after more sickening abuse
  • Raheem Sterling received racist vitriol just 48 hours after social media boycott
  • Instagram removed the post in question after Sportsmail alerted them to it 

Instagram have told Sportsmail they will this week launch a new tool to prevent players from seeing abusive messages after removing racist vitriol directed at Raheem Sterling.

The latest spate of sickening abuse comes less than 48 hours after English football’s historic social media boycott ended.

Sterling was part of the Manchester City side that clinched a place in the Champions League final — the first in the club’s history — against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night.

Instagram will launch a tool to prevent players from being able to see abusive messages

Raheem Sterling was targeted online just 48 hours after the social media boycott finished

 Raheem Sterling was targeted online just 48 hours after the social media boycott finished

But the England star was then targeted with racist abuse on Instagram, who are owned by Facebook, in the aftermath.

Having been informed of the abuse by Sportsmail, Instagram deleted the post before condemning it while the social media platform have also vowed to punish the account in question.

In a statement issued to Sportsmail, a Facebook spokesman said: ‘The racist abuse sent to Raheem Sterling is unacceptable and we do not want it on Instagram. We have removed the comment and taken action against the responsible account.

‘As part of our ongoing work in this  space, this week we’re rolling out new tools to help prevent people seeing abusive messages from strangers. We’re committed to doing what we can to keep our community safe.’

The abuse Sterling received has amplified the problem English football continues to face

The abuse Sterling received has amplified the problem English football continues to face

Instagram removed the offending post in question and said that they will be investigating

Instagram removed the offending post in question and said that they will be investigating

Social media companies have been under huge pressure to reform their platforms in recent months due to the amount of vitriol footballers have received. 

The recent social media boycott, which ended on Monday night, was viewed as a significant warning to technology firms. 

But the abuse of Sterling and Stoke winger Rabbi Matondo since the boycott ended has merely amplified the problem English football is facing. 

The new tool will allow users to automatically filter direct messaging requests containing offensive words, phrases and emojis so they do not see it.

But he was targeted by racist abuse on popular social media website Instagram in the aftermath of the momentous win.

Stoke winger Rabbi Matondo revealed online that he had been sent sickening racist abuse

Stoke winger Rabbi Matondo revealed online that he had been sent sickening racist abuse

Having been informed of the post by Sportsmail, Instagram have moved swiftly to delete the post and vehemently condemned the abuse of the England international.

The social media platform have also vowed to punish the account that posted the abuse.

A Facebook company spokesman said: ‘The racist abuse sent to Raheem Sterling is unacceptable and we do not want it on Instagram.

‘We have removed the comment and taken action against the account that posted it. As part of our ongoing work in this space, this week we’re rolling out new tools to help prevent people seeing abusive messages from strangers.

‘No single thing will fix this challenge overnight but we’re committed to doing what we can to keep our community safe from abuse.’