Instagram has announced it will launch two new app features to reduce bullying and make it safer for young users. With the app being an introductory gateway to social media for many teens, the risks of exposure to antisocial behaviour have been met with demands to create a safe space for users.

Instagram is looking to limit self-harm by obscuring potentially triggering images. Although the social network is known for fuelling deep insecurity among young users, it has also become home to a network of supportive communities that are opening up conversations around mental health.

Celeb endorsements have lost some of their power in the social media era, but what makes bloggers, vloggers, and self-styled fashionistas so effective as spokespeople? Canvas8 talked to Alexander Schouten, assistant professor at Tilburg University, about how influencers convince people to buy.

For generations, people have sought to improve themselves by seeking guidance from friends, family, support groups, and books. But in the digital era, many teenagers are turning to Instagram for self-help advice. How are they harnessing this platform to find solutions for everyday problems?