Instagram has announced it is banning all graphic images of self-harm.

The company admitted it is "not where we need to be" in relation to self-harm and suicide.

Non-graphic, self-harm related content - such as healed scars - will no longer appear in search or under hashtags.

The social network says it's not removing that content entirely as it doesn't want to 'stigmatise or isolate' people who may be in distress or posting the images as a 'cry for help'.

The Facebook-owned site's boss Adam Mosseri has admitted it needs "to do more to protect the most vulnerable".

He said Instagram is committed to finding and removing harmful content.

He explained: "Up until now, we’ve focused most of our approach on trying to help the individual who is sharing their experiences around self-harm.

"We have allowed content that shows contemplation or admission of self-harm because experts have told us it can help people get the support they need. But we need to do more to consider the effect of these images on other people who might see them."

He said experts have now advised that graphic images has the potential to "unintentionally promote self-harm" - prompting the decision to ban the images.

The move comes after Instagram faced mounting pressure over their policies on self-harm related content.

In one BBC report, the father of 14-year-old British girl Molly Russel - who took her own life in 2017 - claimed he believes the platform was partly responsible for his daughter's death.

If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article you can contact Samaritans free any time from any phone on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.ie to find details of your nearest branch. You can also find online information at www.yourmentalhealth.ie