Facebook and Instagram announce BIG changes

How long do you spend on social media?

Facebook and Instagram
Author: Anna Sky MagliolaPublished 1st Aug 2018
Last updated 1st Aug 2018

These days you can spend hours on social media without even realising it, which is why the social media giants, Facebook and Instagram, are bringing in some BIG changes for users. Amid growing concerns that people are spending too long online, which can lead to mental health issues, lack of sleep and under performing at work; Facebook and Instagram have announced changes today (1st August). These changes will include new tools to help people manage how long they are spending on the social media platforms.

On Facebook's press website they revealed they would be adding in an 'activity dashboard, a daily reminder and a new way to limit notifications'. They go on to explain that they want 'the time people spend on Facebook and Instagram to be intentional, positive and inspiring', explaining that they have done extensive research, and worked with leading mental health experts and organisations. The social media site also explained that they hoped these changes would give people more control over the time they spend on the platforms.

If you're wondering how to access these new tools they'll be available through the setting page on both Facebook and Instagram. On Instagram, tap 'Your Activity,' and on Facebook, tap 'Your Time on Facebook.'

Then, you'll be able to see a dashboard showing how much time you have spent on that app on the device you're using. You can also select an allotted amount of time to spend on each network before it warns you. That way you'll know when you've spent too long on the device.

Facebook screen shots

In their statement, Facebook went on to explain, 'We have a responsibility to help people understand how much time they spend on our platforms so they can better manage their experience.'

Now take a look at which celebrities are on Snapchat...

Lewis Capaldi

@LewisCapaldi

Calvin Harris

@CalvinHarris

Perrie Edwards

@perriesnap

Ed Sheeran

@teddysdaytoday

Kylie Jenner

@KylizzleMyNizzl

Harry Styles

@ h.estyles

Ariana Grande

@moonlightbae

Taylor Swift

@taylorswift

Justin Bieber

@RickTheSizzler

Chris Pratt

@chrisprattsnap

Jesy Nelson

@jesynels

Miley Cyrus

@mileycyrus

Rihanna

@rihanna

Niall Horan

@niallhoran

Jade Thirlwall

@justjadeamelia

Kendall Jenner

@kenjen

Zayn Malik

@zayn

Lady Gaga

@ladygaga

Kim Kardashian

@KimKardashian

Leigh-Anne Pinnock

@leigh-annepinn

Selena Gomez

@SelenaGomez

Vicky Pattison

@vickypattison1

Shawn Mendes

@shawnmendes

Jamie Laing

@jamielaing

Craig David

@craigdavid

Chris Hughes

@hchris22

Charlotte Crosby

@clc_17

Usher

@howusnap

Kem Cetinay

@kemcatinay

Gemma Collins

@gemcqueen

Louis Tomlinson

@balmain28

David Guetta

@davidguettaoff

Cara Delevingne

@caradevilqueen

Amber Davies

@amber_davies7

Ferne McCann

@fernemccann

Gigi Hadid

@itsgigihadid

Sam Faiers

@samfaiers1

Ryan Gosling

@rygosg1980

Megan McKenna

@megan-mckenna

Zac Efron

@zacefron87

Kourtney Kardashian

@kourtneykardash

Nick Jonas

@jicknonas

These major changes follow on from the smaller changes that have been made to Instagram so far this year, including adding a soundtrack to your Stories, changing likes to mini icons of users' profile photos (instead of their name) and being able to mute accounts that you follow.

Don't forget you can follow us on Instagram: @officialcoolfm