Threads DM Feature Backfires Amid Harassment Concerns
Threads, Instagram’s text-focused social platform, recently introduced direct messaging (DMs)—a feature many believed would enhance user experience and engagement. But the rollout has ignited criticism, particularly from women, who argue the feature opens the door to unwanted messages and potential harassment. While DMs are standard on social networks like X (formerly Twitter), Mastodon, and Bluesky, Threads initially stood out for its lack of private messaging—something many users now say was a benefit, not a flaw. As discussions heat up, questions about user safety, platform control, and Meta’s product strategy have taken center stage.
Image Credits:Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto/ Getty Images
User Reactions Highlight Threads DM Controversy
The addition of direct messages on Threads may have been labeled the platform’s most requested feature, but the user feedback suggests otherwise. Comments on Threads have been filled with frustration, particularly from women, with many saying DMs feel like a step backward. “I don’t want to receive DMs. How do I shut this thing off? I ask on behalf of all women,” one user posted, while another quipped, “Congrats on adding a feature only stalkers were interested in.” A sentiment echoed by dozens more, including a widely shared Threads poll where the majority of participants voted against adding DMs.
Despite Instagram head Adam Mosseri's enthusiastic announcement of the new feature, the backlash was swift. Several users expressed disappointment over the absence of an opt-out feature, highlighting that Meta’s move did not seem to consider the safety concerns of marginalized groups. While Threads seeks to increase engagement through private messaging, its failure to include a simple toggle to disable DMs reflects a broader pattern in tech where convenience often trumps user well-being.
Why Threads Users Preferred a DM-Free Space
Unlike X and Instagram, where DMs are ingrained into the user experience, Threads carved out a unique space as a public-only platform. For many, that created a feeling of openness and safety. Without the pressure or intrusion of private messages, conversations remained public, moderated, and visible—reducing the risk of abusive one-on-one communication. Women and non-binary users, in particular, have long raised concerns about how DMs are used for unsolicited messages, harassment, and stalking, making the lack of DMs a welcomed safeguard.
The decision to roll out DMs without an opt-out option has left many feeling ignored. Some critics argue Meta didn’t do enough user research before the launch, despite claiming the feature was highly requested. Others believe the company is prioritizing engagement metrics over user trust. Threads’ commitment to safety, once considered a differentiating factor, now appears to be on shaky ground as it rushes to mimic features of competing platforms without adequate safeguards.
What Meta Needs to Do to Restore Trust on Threads
To regain user trust, Meta must rethink how it introduces new features on Threads—especially those with direct implications for safety and user experience. The backlash to the DMs could have been avoided with a simple toggle or settings update allowing users to disable or restrict who can message them. X, for example, allows users to filter DMs based on follower status or mutual connections, giving users more control over their inbox.
Meta also needs to improve transparency. If DMs were truly the most requested feature, the company should provide context—was the request volume representative of the entire user base, or was it skewed toward power users and influencers? Offering clear communication and privacy settings would go a long way toward making Threads a safer, more inclusive space. Until then, the platform risks alienating users who once saw it as a refreshing alternative to harassment-prone networks.
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