Instagram is introducing a new feature designed to help college students connect with their peers on campus. The rollout, announced Tuesday, closely mirrors a similar tool TikTok launched just last week.
With the update, U.S. students can add their college or university to a banner on their profile after completing verification through student platform UNiDAYS. Once verified, users can decide who gets to see their school information and gain access to a student directory, where they can browse classmates by year or explore the entire school community.
Related: Instagram Strengthens Privacy Measures For Accounts Featuring Children.
The new feature echoes the early days of Facebook, which originally started in 2004 as a way for Harvard students to connect online. Instagram says the move is meant to make it easier for students to find and build connections within their academic community.
Still, the launch raises questions about privacy. While the tool is optional, critics warn that it could make it easier for people to track students online. Others may see it as yet another feature crowding Instagram’s already complex app.
Instagram had been spotted testing the feature last year, so its arrival comes as no surprise. For now, students who want to blend social media with campus life can opt in, while those who prefer to keep their online presence separate can simply skip it.
