Instagram Partners With World Health Organization, @DudeWithSign To Fight Coronavirus Misinformation

Instagram wants its users to help take action against coronavirus. Announcing several new partnerships, the social media platform is working to halt the spread of misinformation with a PSA meme campaign along with new stickers and quiz effects that allow users to circulate accurate information and best practices about dealing with the coronavirus.

Teaming up with the World Health Organization (WHO), Instagram enlisted the help of @DudeWithSign, the viral Instagram star best known for holding amusing signs over his head, to help spread messages like "stop touching your face," "please stay inside" and "wash your damn hands."

Additionally, the company launched a #thankshealthheroes sticker to honor health workers facing the virus and are set to release new camera effects to encourage hand washing. The new stickers and effects come after the removal of other coronavirus-related AR filters that had not been created in partnership with official health organizations.

The new partnerships are an obvious step toward mitigating the spread of misinformation on the platform, which Instagram has been combatting for months. Back in January, Instagram's parent company, Facebook, announced new initiatives to combat potentially dangerous content. The company began offering links to the CDC website when users clicked on coronavirus-related hashtags and moderating individual posts that may contain misinformation.