Meta’s social media contender, Threads, is spicing things up with a brand-new “activity status” feature, set to let you know when fellow users are online. Announced by Instagram leader Adam Mosseri in a Threads post, the feature aims to make it easier to connect with others in real time, enhancing social interaction on the platform.
Worried about privacy? No need to stress. This feature is completely optional, so unless you enable it, no one will be able to track your online presence on Threads.
Since its debut last year, Threads has been trailing behind X (previously known as Twitter) in delivering immediate event updates and trending topics. On X, it’s a breeze to catch spontaneous reactions to live happenings such as star-studded awards shows or sudden earthquakes. In contrast, Threads is focusing on bolstering its real-time interaction with the introduction of this new feature.
Interestingly, the activity status feature also doubles as Threads’ workaround for the absence of direct messaging (DMs). Unlike on X, where you can slip into someone’s DMs effortlessly to spark a chat, Threads lacks this direct communication tool. Mosseri expresses the hope that by knowing when others are online, initiating conversations will be less of a challenge.
However, not everyone is ecstatic over this new development. Public reaction has been lukewarm, with many users expressing a preference for DMs over the activity status rollout. People are questioning the necessity of this feature when direct messaging isn’t an option, which traditionally complements activity status in platforms dedicated to messaging, like Facebook Messenger and Discord.
There are also concerns about potential risks, particularly for users experiencing online harassment. Knowing when someone is active could provide ammo for trolls to increase their harassment.
The new feature is being introduced as of today, although some users may not see it immediately. While Mosseri didn’t outline deactivation steps, it’s expected that users will find these options in the app’s settings section. As always, user feedback will likely shape how this feature evolves, reflecting the needs and concerns of the Threads community.
