Instagram has become an integral part of our daily lives, with over 2 billion monthly active users worldwide. While the platform offers numerous features to enhance user experience, one particular feature that has gained attention is the “Active Status.”
This feature lets your followers see your last active on the app. However, only some people are comfortable with sharing their online presence. In this article, we’ll dive deep into how to turn off active status on Instagram and maintain your privacy.
Before we delve into the steps to turn off your active status, let’s first understand what it is and how it works. Instagram introduced the active status feature in July 2018, which displays a green dot next to your profile picture when you’re online. This feature is visible to your followers and anyone you’ve messaged recently. According to a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, 72% of teenagers use Instagram. With such a large user base, it’s essential to have control over your privacy settings.
The active status feature on Instagram can be a double-edged sword regarding privacy. While it facilitates staying connected with friends and family, it can also raise concerns for those who want to maintain a low profile or take a break from social media. Constantly feeling pressured to be available and responsive due to the visibility of your online presence can contribute to stress and anxiety, as highlighted by a study from the Royal Society for Public Health.
The Royal Society for Public Health in the UK found that Instagram was the worst social media platform for mental health and wellbeing among teenagers and young adults. The study highlighted that Instagram was associated with high levels of anxiety, depression, bullying, and FOMO (fear of missing out).
To begin the process, open the Instagram app on your mobile device (iOS or Android) and navigate to your profile page by tapping on your profile icon in the bottom right corner of the screen.
Once on your profile page, locate the three horizontal lines or the “hamburger” menu icon in the top-right corner of the screen and tap on it to access the menu. From the menu options, select “Settings and privacy.“
After tapping on “Settings and privacy” in the previous step, you will be directed to a new page with various settings categories. Scroll down until you find the “How others can interact with you” section, and tap on the “Messages and story replies” option within this section. It will take you to the privacy settings related to your Instagram interactions.
Within the “Messages and story replies” settings, you will find a sub-section called “Who can see you’re online“. Under this sub-section, tap on the “Show activity status” option. It will take you to the activity status settings page. You will see a toggle switch on the activity status page next to the “Show Activity Status” option. Your activity status is visible to others if the toggle is currently green or blue.
To disable your active status, simply tap on the toggle switch until it turns grey. Once the toggle is grey, your activity status will be hidden from other users. After turning off your active status, Instagram will display a message confirming that your active status is now hidden.
It’s important to note that disabling your active status is a reciprocal action – it means you won’t be able to see other people’s active status either. Instagram implemented this mutual system to ensure fairness and balance privacy and connectivity among users.
In a world where digital privacy is increasingly important, controlling your online presence is crucial. By turning off your active status on Instagram, you can maintain a higher level of privacy, reduce pressure, and use the platform more intentionally.
Remember, social media should enhance your life, not detract from it. Take control of your Instagram experience by adjusting your privacy settings to suit your needs. Whether you choose to keep your active status on or off, the most important thing is to use Instagram in a way that positively impacts your mental health and well-being.
Unfortunately, Instagram doesn’t currently offer the option to selectively disable active status for specific individuals. When you turn off your active status, it applies to all your followers and anyone you’ve messaged recently.
No, disabling your active status won’t impact your ability to use Instagram’s features. You can still post, like, comment, and send messages as usual.
Yes, you can turn your active status on and off whenever you like. Simply follow the steps outlined earlier in this article to toggle the setting as needed.
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Disclaimer
*The information this blog provides is for general informational purposes only and is not intended as financial or professional advice. The information may not reflect current developments and may be changed or updated without notice. Any opinions expressed on this blog are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the author’s employer or any other organization. You should not act or rely on any information contained in this blog without first seeking the advice of a professional. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made as to the accuracy or completeness of the information contained in this blog. The author and affiliated parties assume no liability for any errors or omissions.
