Instagram is cracking down on hawking diet products, and it’s about time

We’ve almost become desensitized to Instagram #ads posted by influencers like the Kardashian-Jenners and other reality TV stars in which they promote shady diet products to their audiences. The practice of promoting non-FDA-approved diet pills, teas, and shakes has come into question by body positive advocates like The Good Place’s Jameela Jamil, who has been extremely vocal in the past about the dangers of the Kardashians’ sponsored slimming tea posts. And finally, she’s getting some backup from Instagram.

On September 18th, Instagram announced it will debut a new policy under which Instagram users under the age of 18 will no longer be able to view ads for weight-loss products or cosmetic procedures if they have price tags attached to them.

Furthermore, Instagram will also ban any content that markets a “miraculous claim” about a diet or weight-loss product, as Elle UK reports. This means influencers will no longer be able to write, for example, that a single tea helped them drop 15 pounds in five days (because…that’s just wrong).

Of course, we’re sure there are ways influencers can cheat this new system. But its presence alone indicates that Instagram is concerned about its users and actively trying to make the platform a more positive space to reside.

View this post on Instagram

#ad Ok you guys… I’ve been putting in work, adding in @flattummyco meal replacement shakes and I’m seriously feeling so good. My energy is up, my cravings are controlled and I actually feel like I’m a total tummy knockout. You need to go check them out while their 30% OFF sale is on. Ps: how CUTE is this shaker bottle?!

A post shared by Khloé (@khloekardashian) on May 22, 2019 at 4:09pm PDT

Jamil, who founded the “i Weigh” movement, in which women vocalize their worth in personal traits rather than appearances, told Elle UK that she’s thrilled about Instagram’s new policy.

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THIS IS HUGE NEWS. @i_weigh are changing the world together. After a bunch of shouting, screaming, and petitioning... we have managed to get the attention of the people at the top, and they have heard us and want to protect us. And this is just the beginning of our efforts. As of now, if you’re under 18, you will no longer be exposed to any diet/detox products, and for all other ages; all fad products that have bogus, unrealistic claims will be taken down and easy to report. I’ve been working with Instagram all year towards this, who were amazing to deal with, and they expressed that they passionately care about creating a safer space for us all online. This happened so much faster than I expected and I’m so proud and happy and relieved. WELL DONE to the many people who have been working towards this huge change. This is a mass effort. This is an extraordinary win that is going to make a big difference. Influencers have to be more responsible. ❤️

A post shared by Jameela Jamil (@jameelajamilofficial) on Sep 18, 2019 at 10:08am PDT

After spearheading a 240,000-signature strong petition entitled, “Stop celebrities promoting toxic diet products on social media,” Jamil met with Instagram to figure out how to thwart the spread of dangerous misinformation.

“I’ve been working with Instagram all year toward this, who were amazing to deal with, and they expressed that they passionately care about creating a safer space for us all online,” Jamil wrote in a September 18th Instagram post. “I’m so proud and happy and relieved. WELL DONE to the many people who have been working toward this huge change…Influencers have to be more responsible.”

These two new policy changes will hopefully help young people steer clear of unnecessary and troublesome advertising, thus helping to promote a healthier sense of self.