Instagram Launches US College Student Directory with Verification

Instagram has introduced a new feature allowing U.S. college students to add their educational institution to their profiles after verification through the UNiDAYS platform, enabling them to connect with verified classmates and browse a directory filtered by school and graduation year. This feature mirrors a similar campus verification tool recently launched by TikTok and aims to foster connections among students, echoing the early campus-centric model of social media platforms like Facebook. The directory is optional, with privacy controls that allow students to decide who can see their school information, addressing concerns from educators and parents about safety and data protection. Instagram's move targets the growing demographic of 18-24-year-old users and reflects a broader trend toward niche, community-specific social networking spaces to enhance user engagement. Despite its potential to ease campus transitions and create opportunities for brand marketing to college audiences, there are cautions about possible misuse and increased online tracking. Overall, the feature provides a modern way for students to connect while maintaining control over their privacy settings.