Facts Instagram is hiding from your daughter
Instagram has long surpassed Facebook in popularity among teens. Researchers inside Instagram, often employees of Facebook, which owns Instagram, have been studying use cases and partially presenting some very disturbing data to the media. Let’s look at some of that today.
2019 to 2021: Teen girls and Instagram
In 2019, Forbes and other media houses published parts of an internal research report. The report by Facebook on Instagram usage said that the app was creating major body image related issues for one third of its young female users within the age of 20. It seemed that Instagram was directly blamed by these girls for increasing depression and anxiety for them.
In March 2020, a review by The Wall Street Journal said clearly that 32% of teen girls fet bad about their bodies after using Instagram.
And in July 2021, another Facebook study published partially by Forbes said that 13% of British and 6% of American teen girls traced their suicidal thoughts to Instagram posts!
Is Instagram willing to take serious steps about this?
Sadly, the answer is no. More than 40% of Instagram’s users are 22 years old or younger. The Instagram teen crowd has skyrocketed while Facebook is more popular with those above 30. So, neither Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg nor Instagram head Adam Mosseri are willing to let this business suffer. They have claimed repeatedly to media that while they are aware of some harm done to teens, they believe that the social media handle is by and large beneficial for young people. Mosseri has been particularly vocal with media on this issue through 2020 and 2021 when Instagram usage a well as female teen depression rates both rose sharply.
What can you do about it?
If you notice your daughter becoming suddenly preoccupied with Instagram, or expressing unwillingness to eat, or developing unhealthy food habits, check on her Instagram usage. Stop her from developing a negative body image by telling her that everyone has a unique and perfect body. If she is seriously disturbed, don’t wait for things to get worse, ask for medical help.