Instagram is launching a School Partnership Program designed to help educators report potential teen safety issues, including cyberbullying, directly to Instagram. This initiative aims to give schools a stronger voice in tackling online safety concerns, ensuring faster action on harmful content.
Instagram worked with the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) and the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD) to test this program, and the results have been promising in addressing teen safety issues within schools.
Why This Program Matters
Recent research shows that only 13% of students report cyberbullying to their school, often because they believe educators have no power to act. With this new program, schools can now take direct action, helping create a safer digital environment for students.
“Instagram’s new School Partnership Program changes that. This system will now fast-track solutions that students and educators want to see.”
– Sameer Hinduja, PhD, Co-director, Cyberbullying Research Center
Expanding Support for Schools and Educators
Educators play a critical role in guiding teens through the challenges of social media. While Instagram already offers parental tools to limit app usage during school hours, this program ensures teachers and school administrators can also actively address online safety issues.
“Within the first week of partnering with Instagram, we saw bullying and harassing posts and profiles taken down. Their prioritization of school reports supports student safety and reduces anxiety.”
– D.J. Ashford, Studio Art and Media Teacher, Muwekma Ohlone Middle School
How Schools Benefit from the Program
Schools that join the Instagram School Partnership Program will receive:
- Prioritized Reporting – Reports submitted by school partners will be reviewed faster, with updating Instagram’s actions.
- Educational Resources – Schools will get materials to help educators, parents, and students safely navigate Instagram.
- Official Partner Badge – A profile banner will indicate that a school is an official Instagram partner, providing visibility and credibility.
“Education leaders need more control over social media to create a healthy digital culture in schools. This program ensures that school reports will be heard and acted upon quickly.”
– Richard Culatta, CEO of ISTE+ASCD
How Schools Can Join
Starting with a pilot phase in U.S. middle and high schools, the program is now open for wider enrollment. Schools can sign up for the waitlist by:
- Visiting Instagram settings
- Selecting ‘Account type and tools’ or ‘Business tools and controls’
- Following the step-by-step instructions.
Instagram remains committed to partnering with schools to enhance student safety online. This initiative is just one step in our ongoing efforts to support teens, parents, and educators in creating a more positive digital experience.
