Mother’s anger as Instagram deletes this photo of little girl
A TODDLER shows off her belly button in an adorable and innocent photograph that her family loved so much they chose to share it with friends. But after Marlow’s mother uploaded it on photo- sharing website I nstagram she was shocked when her account was deactivated because i t was deemed inappropriate.
Courtney Adamo, 33, was sent an email by Instagram saying the image ‘violated the community guidelines’.
The social media company removed the photo and also deleted a picture of 19-month-old Marlow at the beach with her father.
Confused, Mrs Adamo re-read the Facebook- owned firm’s guidelines and was convinced she had not broken any rules. So she reposted the photo to the 40,000 people who ‘follow’ her on Instagram.
The mother of four, who runs an online boutique, said: ‘They said I violated their guidelines, which are very vague.
‘Their guidelines say things like “no pornographic material”. So I thought, “That photo hasn’t violated anything”. I put it back up and that’s when my account was shut down.
‘So it turns out that photo does violate their terms and conditions because any female child of walking age or older cannot appear shirtless, according to Instagram.’ American- born Mrs Adamo, who is married to an animation company boss and lives in Highgate, North London, said she posted the two photos for her family who live across the Atlantic.
‘It’s ridiculous,’ she added. ‘If you look at mainstream companies that put out advertisements on national television you’ll see toddlers her age wearing just a nappy.
‘I believe I’ve only put up wholesome photos and I think my children will look back on them with fond memories.’
Last night Instagram reinstated Mrs Adamo’s account, but the two photos of Marlow are still banned. Mrs Adamo, who is also a mother to Easton, nine, Quin, seven and five-yearold Ivy, said she will be more careful about what she posts in future as she is worried about her photos being deleted.
She said: ‘It’s the people that are making a fuss and sexualising it whose mindset you have to question.’
Instagram said: ‘We try hard to find a good balance between allowing people to express themselves creatively and having policies in place to protect young children.’