Bryony Gordon details months of Instagram harassment, questions platform's standards

British columnist Bryony Gordon describes months of sexually harassing messages from a man using the alias “James” on Instagram, outlining how the pattern has persisted despite reporting and despite the platform’s assurances about safety. In a personal essay, Gordon, who has spoken publicly about online abuse for years, recalls that she has faced threats, defacement of imagery, and explicit language dating back two decades. She notes that abuse aimed at women with a public profile has become so routine that she no longer blocks every account, because new aliases appear with each wave. The piece frames her experience as part of a broader problem: social platforms that promise safety but struggle to enforce it consistently, especially for women who use these networks for work and personal expression.

A key episode described by Gordon centers on a video of her running in gym attire, posted as part of a half-marathon. A new account under the James banner left a comment that read, “Ur the best pants runner ever, Had a good wank to this now.” Gordon says she reported the remark to Instagram, which is owned by Meta. She expected removal or at least a ban, but she says the platform told her the comment did not violate its Community Standards. After requesting a review, she says the decision stood. Gordon writes that the experience was more shocking than the original comment and left her questioning what it would take to offend the Instagram community.

The column goes on to recount another illustration of the platform’s moderation approach. The day after Gordon’s reporting, broadcaster Rory Cellan-Jones shared a screenshot of a message he’d received from Instagram about a post concerning Donald Trump’s claim that there is a link between paracetamol and autism. Instagram warned that the commenter’s message “may contain language that’s hurtful or doesn’t follow our Community Standards” and urged reconsideration to keep Instagram welcoming to everyone. Gordon uses these episodes to question who exactly is served by Meta’s definitions of “everyone” and what threshold triggers intervention. She contrasts the treatment of a public figure making pointed political remarks with the tolerance she perceives for sexually explicit targeting of a woman who has a public platform. The tone shifts from disbelief to a call for accountability, arguing that Meta’s enforcement choices communicate a troubling message about which voices are protected and which are tolerated.

Gordon’s reflections sit within a wider discourse about safety, accountability, and free expression on social media. The piece emphasizes that for many women—creators, commentators, and everyday users—the line between permissible commentary and harassment can be dangerously unclear, with consequences that extend beyond online spaces. In her view, platforms like Instagram have a responsibility to balance open dialogue with protections against predatory behavior, and the current approach, she argues, often falls short. The piece closes with a stark assertion: Meta’s policies are perceived as prioritizing certain high-profile voices over the everyday safety of millions of users, including women who depend on the platform for professional visibility.

The briefing also touches on other culture and entertainment notes in the same ecosystem. Sabrina Carpenter’s coverage in Vogue Italia, framed around questions of public perception and empowerment, is highlighted alongside a note that Baywatch is being rebooted by Fox, a reflection on nostalgia-driven media cycles. A personal anecdote about the appeal and limits of alcohol-free beverages appears in the broader context of public health discussions tied to celebrity lifestyles. In sports news, Harry Styles competed in the Berlin Marathon, finishing in 2 hours, 59 minutes, and 13 seconds, in hot conditions, adding to the ongoing conversation about athletes balancing performance with endurance. Taken together, these items illustrate the diverse currents shaping culture and entertainment coverage as audiences navigate both online spaces and high-profile media events.