Blog #3: Instagram Isin't Instant, Instead, Unrealistic

The diffusion of Instagram has influenced collective anxiety among users as it has been confirmed to inflict harm on the larger population (Gayle, 2021). Instagram is an interactive media that raises questions regarding authenticity. Rather than offering a nuanced perception, it is common that it nearly provides a dystopian presence instead. It is an often occurrence that Instagram users (including influencers) highlight an idealistic narrative through the content they produce. With an abundance of editing tools available, distorting one's perception of realism occurs within the realms of the application without any regulatory rules in place. Instagram has been found to especially impose challenges for a younger age demographic (Gayle, 2021). From a technological determinist approach, teens are viewing Instagram as an active force of change. Specifically, in Facebook’s analysis of Instagram, it was determined that it initiates “body image issues for one in three teen girls” (Gayle, 2021, pp.1). Additionally, it is noted that teens blame Instagram for an increased rate of anxiety and depression. This portrays the prevalence of society confirming Instagram as the cause of inflicting mental health conditions. Furthermore, how Instagram holds more power over the user itself without evident resistance. 


Below I have attached an article that elaborates on how technology has a dominant force over the formation and scalability of human activities (SM). This will go into depth explaining how, and to what extent as I briefly suggested above. 

https://medium.com/@vorapilailuckthi/technological-determinism-social-media-9232614920ef



Source 

Gayle, D, (2021). Facebook aware of Instagram’s harmful effect on teenage girls, leak reveals. The Guardian, Retrieved October 23, 2022, from https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2021/sep/14/facebook-aware-instagram-harmful-effect-teenage-girls-leak-reveals


Comments

  1. Sierra AndersonOctober 24, 2022 at 1:18 PM

    Very eye-opening post. As an app that drives the desire for social inclusion, Instagram is extremely influencial and addicting. Thus, making it even more detrimental to one's overall mental health. I think it is interesting how instagram can be both empowering and instill confidence while also provoking feelings of inferiority, self-consiousness, and envy. For example, I personally find that posting on instagram bosts my confidence and mood but at the same time, scrolling the app for long periods of time and viewing posts from influencers and instagram models can sometimes make me feel down on myself.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Tiffany ChanOctober 27, 2022 at 11:18 AM

    Hello,

    I found your post to be very interesting in terms of talking about how social media platforms such as Instagram raises questions about authenticity. Using social media at a young age can distort one’s perception of reality and beauty standards since influencers and celebrities only show the best aspects of their life as well as heavily relying on editing tools to achieve the perfect look. The constant comparison to these individuals hinders the way we see ourselves where we always seek what they have, hurting our mental health. The need to seek validation and reassurance from social media through measurements of followers, likes and comments can also affect the way we think of ourselves. We begin to question our self-confidence and second guess our life, becoming unpleasant with ourselves due to the idealized perfect realities. What are some ways we can stop seeking validation and reassurance on social media?

    ReplyDelete
  3. irene yangOctober 27, 2022 at 6:08 PM

    Hey! I also did the same reading as well! Thank you for posting, and I do strongly agree with how
    Instagram has influenced collective anxiety among users and I still stand by it today on the negative effects social media can cause for many young individuals. I am also so glad that we had the reading by Gayle, D on how Facebook aware of Instagram’s harmful effect on teenage girls, leak reveals. Now after reading this article, I do limit myself from using social media platforms as comparison sometimes comes into play for me. Hopefully teens also choose to limit their social media use-sages on apps like Instagram as like you said, it can cause and lead to inflicting mental health conditions.
    Also thank you so much for going above and beyond on adding an additional article. I will definitely check it out!

    Best,
    Irene Yang

    ReplyDelete

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