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Bobby Ehlers

Professor Garcia

English 134

16 March 2020

Picture #Perfect

Currently, in 2020, there are over 1 billion Instagram accounts worldwide which are

active every single month. Out of those billion users, 500 million of them upload a story video

daily to their profile (Instagram). Out of these billion users, the highest use rate of social media

is seen amongst those aged 16-24. These years are a crucial period for emotional and

psychosocial development which reinforces the importance of a greater understanding of social

media’s impact. (Rsph). Rates of anxiety and depression in young people have risen 70% in the

past 25 years (2). While many platforms are potentially at blame for this increase, Instagram

allows for the least amount of conversation to be had compared to other platforms as it mostly

focuses on visuals.

Instagram users tend to only post the ideal version of themselves so that they are

portrayed in the best light possible. After viewing these flawless accounts, the inaccurate

portrayal of reality will cause others to compare their outward appearance with the distorted

versions of people they follow. Additionally, they begin to compare their wealth, current

relationships, or the lack of. This comparison makes people focus on their limitations; It makes

people believe that they are lacking some aspect eventually causing feelings of loneliness,

anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem (Treitel). This can also cause users to become

consumed with mimicking the life they see on social media in hopes their life will become the
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picture-perfect accounts they viewed daily. Another problematic reaction to social media is the

fear of missing out (FO-MO). Back before social media was invented young kids had no idea

who was hanging out with who on the weekends until Monday morning rolled around. Now

young people are learning about the social events they weren’t invited to almost instantaneously.

On top of all this, social media makes people addicted to the platform using several techniques.

One of the techniques is notifications that flood your screen forcing you to constantly check your

device. Another way users become addicted to Instagram is through likes and shallow comments

received on posts. This creates a false perception of your likeness which then makes people rely

on likes and comments for reassurance and acceptance.

Instagram has become a self-marketing platform where you try to sell yourself by making

sure your account displays absolute perfection. Personal Identity should never be warped by

fictitious self-marketing especially at an age where the brain hasn’t been fully developed. We as

humans need to help raise awareness and create change on this issue. I believe that Instagram

should create a pop-up notifying the user when they have exhibited heavy usage. Instagram

needs to also highlight when photos have been digitally manipulated for personal benefit, and

need to help de-emphasize the value of attractiveness by creating positive messaging on the

importance of possessing skills and capabilities (Ahadzadeh). Another plausible concept for

fixing the issue of mental illness caused by social media is to help empower the young

demographic. Using Instagram safely and in moderation can be taught by implementing a

unique unit into physical health classes taught in junior high school. Young adults need to be

able to create separation between actual and ideal-self to focus on inner beauty (2). People my

age need to establish confidence to have positive self-esteem; A solid foundation of self-esteem
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is essential in creating a protective shield for young adults against negative effects of social

media. (3).