Instagram has launched a new feature called Instants, designed for spontaneous photo sharing that disappears after friends view them. Available in both the main Instagram app and a new dedicated app, Instants allows users to send photos without editing tools or filters, only enabling caption additions. Users can access Instants through their DM inbox by tapping on a photo stack. The photos can remain in an archive for up to a year and can later be shared as stories. Privacy and safety features are emphasized, especially for teen accounts, which include parental supervision and restrictions on usage during late-night hours. This move is seen as Instagram's latest attempt to compete with ephemeral photo platforms like Snapchat and BeReal, following previous initiatives like the Bolt app in 2014 and Candid Stories in 2019.