Study Links Instagram Usage With Negative Mental Health Consequences | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Student Life

Study Links Instagram Usage With Negative Mental Health Consequences

We are an appearance-based culture, and appearances can be deceiving.

128
Study Links Instagram Usage With Negative Mental Health Consequences
TechCrunch

Is Instagram hurting your mental health? A study by the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) seems to point in that direction. In their study #StatusOfMind, the RSPH wanted to see what kinds of positive and negative effects social media had and has on the health of young people. 1500 individuals ages 14-24 were surveyed by the RSPH for this study. The results showed that while some apps were seen as more positive than others, it was clear that the app associated with the most negative consequences was Instagram. Some of these negative consequences include poorer sleeping habits, issues with body image, and increased "FOMO".

Instagram is described on its website as "a community of more than 600 million who capture and share the world's moments on [Instagram]." I find this to be a surprisingly accurate description for this study's results, despite its obvious vagueness; by capturing the world's moments on Instagram, people will not just be capturing the good perspectives in the world, but also the negative ones. And some of these negative perspectives are inevitably that of the world's unrealistic standards and unhealthy ways of coping with the negativity.

It's clear that Instagram's image-based community is very focused on appearance by its very definition. In addition, a list of the 100 most popular hashtags on Instagram show some pretty obvious signs of Instagram's focus as well. It turns out that #beautiful, #cute, and #selfie are all within the top 15 most-searchable terms. Research has already been done on selfies and how they are associated with lower self-esteem, addictive behavior, and narcissistic tendencies. The fact that we place so much emphasis on beauty and the "perfect look" is just further perpetuated by websites like Instagram that make images of beauty (many of which have gone through numerous edits and filters) an unhealthy focus.

This study by the RSPH is only driving a point home that many of us are well-aware of: appearances are everything in our society, which will take a toll on our mental health when we continuously embrace them. That's why the RSPH is asking social media sites like Instagram to take a stand against the mental health problems that people are facing from heavy consumption of these sites. For instance, the RSPH recommends pop-up warnings that mention the consequences of overuse of social media. They've also suggested that photos that have been manipulated in some way be tagged as such.

The promotion of mental health and safety in conjunction with the advising against too much social media usage is not a message to take lightly. I think we all know just how addicting social media can be. So if that addictiveness means overusing these sites leads to poorer mental health, we need to readjust our priorities from having the most likes on Instagram to taking care of our bodies and our minds and making time for the real world. And no, Instagram is not the real world.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

195506
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

18032
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

460267
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

27968
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments