What is a Proxy For?

I just purchased an instagram bot and before I run it someone told me I should enter in a proxy so my account doesn't get deleted or anything. Is this true? What's the proxy even used for? Can you please explain? Thanks, and sorry, I'm new here, lol.

In computer networks, a proxy server is a server (a computer system or an application) that acts as an intermediary for requests from clients seeking resources from other servers. A client connects to the proxy server, requesting some service, such as a file, connection, web page, or other resource available from a different server and the proxy server evaluates the request as a way to simplify and control its complexity. Proxies were invented to add structure and encapsulation to distributed systems.[1] Today, most proxies are web proxies, facilitating access to content on the World Wide Web and providing anonymity.

Want to learn more? Check this out:

Whether you need a proxy depends on the number of accounts you wish to use in the bot. With 2-3 accounts, it should be fine without a proxy.

Proxy is used if you want to hide some activity from the service providers. If you use proxies instagram will see that your accounts are managed from separate computers and won't shut down your accounts. But you can manage 1-3 accounts without any proxies I believe.

have a nice read at the page (link below), that's going to get you started.
w**.distilled.net/blog/miscellaneous/proxy-server-essential-information-for-seos/

You need a proxy when you run multiple accounts. You can put 3-4 accounts per proxy for Instagram to be safe.