Anybody who has had a tweet shared widely throughout the platform will know that now matter the content of the tweet, it can attract some unsavoury individuals.

To combat this, Twitter has started testing a new feature it calls Safety Mode.

“Safety Mode is a feature that temporarily blocks accounts for seven days for using potentially harmful language — such as insults or hateful remarks — or sending repetitive and uninvited replies or mentions,” explains senior product manager at Twitter, Jarrod Doherty.

How will Twitter determine whether an interaction is unwanted or potentially abusive? The social network says that its technology will consider the content of the tweet as well as the relationship between the author and the replier. This will be done so that accounts you follow or frequently interact with aren’t autoblocked.

If a user is autoblocked they will be unable to follow you, see your tweets or send DMs.

As part of the Safety Mode, users will be able to see details about temporarily blocked accounts at any time and before each period ends a recap of the information will be sent to the user.

Importantly, automatic blocks can be reversed at any time which is great because Twitter often gets things wrong when it enforces its policies.

Twitter says that it has conducted several feedback sessions throughout the development of this product with experts in the fields of mental health, human rights and Twitter’s Trust and Safety Council.

“Their feedback influenced adjustments to make Safety Mode easier to use and helped us think through ways to address the potential manipulation of our technology. These trusted partners also played an important role in nominating Twitter account owners to join the feedback group, prioritizing people from marginalised communities and female journalists,” Doherty explained.

As mentioned, Safety Mode is being tested with a small group of users on iOS. Be sure to keep an eye out for the option.