Users of Instagram encountered widespread issues, particularly with accessing their direct messages (DMs) and experiencing the disappearance of chat themes. Complaints flooded social media platforms, including Instagram’s subreddit, with users expressing difficulties in using the search tool and viewing contacts. Some users reported instances where their message pages showed no messages despite notifications received earlier.
Outage tracking website Downdetector recorded over 10,000 complaints related to accessing Instagram, with a significant surge in reports during the early morning hours. The complaints encompassed various issues, with a majority (71%) revolving around access problems, followed by server connection (19%) and difficulties in accessing the Feed or timeline (5%).
Downdetector’s data revealed a substantial number of reports from the United States, while India also experienced a notable increase in complaints. The UK registered around 170 reports of Instagram issues, peaking around 9:11 am IST. Concurrently, a study highlighted the potential impact of prolonged social media usage on children’s ability to concentrate, indicating a decline in focus among those spending over 30 minutes daily on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat.
