Instagram isn't alerting people when you screenshot, you creep

Taking screenshots of Instagram posts is a right of social media passage. We all do it, but a recent update to the app has avid Instagram users on edge.

After news broke that Instagram would be alerting users when friends take a screenshot of their "disappearing messages," many people became extremely paranoid that Instagram is also sending notifications when they take a screenshot of a photograph.

Before you have a social media-induced panic attack, let us assure you, Instagram is not sending notifications every time you take a screenshot. Notifications only occur when you take a screenshot in the app's new disappearing message feature.

It's a terrifying thought, though.

Imagine: You're lurking deep within your crush’s Instagram account, when suddenly you see a picture you just have to share with your friends. What do you do? Well, you could send the photograph in a Direct Message, but capturing a screenshot has become such an automatic response that you've already taken one before you even consider another option.

You’ve taken countless Instagram screenshots over the years, but this time, you notice something different. Thanks to the new Instagram update, immediately after you capture the image a banner appears across the top of your phone screen displaying the message, "You can share this post with your friends."

Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Heart stopping, right?

After seeing this new banner, it's easy to assume that the app might have pulled a Snapchat and sent a notification to the person you were just hardcore creeping on. You are not alone in your panic, lots of people have had the exact same fear and shared their devastation on Twitter.

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The panic is understandable, but luckily it's not necessary. This new feature is simply a way to help you easily share the photo with someone, not to reveal your creepy ways.

So now that's been sorted, you no longer need to call up your friend to test out the feature. Keep calm and screenshot on.

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