Instagram needs to recognise that animal cruelty is wrong
Many Instagram users were confused and enraged to find their complaints to Instagram about the @poorr.bunny account (plus other versions) (displaying videos and images of abusing, harming and killing rabbits) were considered to be within the community guidelines.
Hidden in Instagram's help under Wildlife Exploitation Instagram states "Instagram works with wildlife groups to identify and take action on photos or videos that violate our community guidelines, such as posts depicting animal abuse, poaching or the sale of endangered animals and their parts."
That's not enough.
We need Instagram to make its own rules (as it does for nudity, self harm and hate speech) and not only take a stand against animal abuse but to take action against it and support the community who have reached out for support with this.
Instagram's Community Guidelines can be frustratingly vague. Here is where we believe the @poor.bunny account violated them:
- Share only photos and videos that you’ve taken or have the right to share.
He had used images from other Instagram accounts to add fluffiness to his accounts, arguably to draw bunny loving people in before posting some disturbing images.
- Post photos and videos that are appropriate for a diverse audience.
Even though the supporting text is more concerned over nudity, the main message is clear. Showing videos of young rabbits in distress, pain, covered in blood and urine and screaming is only going to appeal to a very small (and sick) segment of society.
How did you achieve so many followers so quickly for so many different accounts?
"We want to foster a positive, diverse community. It's never OK to encourage violence or attack anyone based on their race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religious affiliation, disabilities, or diseases." Well said, what about non humans though? Is it ok to encourage violence or attack them? Engaging with bunny owners and following their accounts shows he was not respecting other members within the Instagram community but more likely to upset them with scenes of violence they may never be able to forget.
"Because so many different people and age groups use Instagram, we may remove videos of intense, graphic violence to make sure Instagram stays appropriate for everyone." Why was this not done and a full sweep of his other accounts too?
Failure isn't bad. Not when you learn from your mistakes and act upon them. I urge Instagram to take a hard look at the community guidelines and speak for those abused and murdered animals which are unable to do so.
