To combat cyber-harassment, Instagram has launched a “safety button” in France that will allow its users to call an emergency line directly – a world first.

Any user who reports harassment will now be able to see a phone call button that will put them in touch with psychologists and lawyers at 3018, the national helpline for victims of digital violence available every day from 9:00 am. until 11:00 p.m.

For the union e-Enfancea partner of the initiative, this direct call button, which connects to 3018 without leaving the application, is an effective tool that has been desired for a long time.

“We have been asking for a safety button for years, we have also asked for it at the European level,” said Zistine Atlan, director general of e-Enfance.

“It took a while to figure out, but we’re pleased that instant access has been built in,” she added.

“This will allow young victims, once their complaint is registered, to benefit from immediate special support,” he said.

In the TikToka network very popular with young people, there is no direct call button, but those reporting harassment are now offered a link to the 3018 website.

In France, a quarter of families have already faced the issue of cyber-harassment (or cyberbullying) of a minor, according to a recent survey carried out for e-Enfance: 15% of primary school students have already faced this, the 25% of high school students and 27% of high school students.

To tackle this phenomenon, the French government unveiled a series of measures in late September, ranging from systematically reporting cases of harassment to the courts to banning students who harass others from social media.

Overall, 86% of 8- to 18-year-olds are registered on social networks, including 67% of elementary school students, 93% of middle school students, and 96% of high school students.