A study by Facebook produces terrifying results: Instagram harms the mental health of young girls and teenagers.
According to a
Wall Street Journal
report published Tuesday (9/14/2021),
Facebook has repeatedly found that its Instagram photo app is harmful to a significant percentage of teenagers.
The journal cited internal Facebook studies over the past three years examining how Instagram is affecting its young user base.
The picture platform is especially harmful for girls and young women.
An internal Facebook presentation said that among teenagers who have reported suicidal thoughts, 13 percent of UK and 6 percent of American users attribute the problem to Instagram.
Also read:
Sleep, Diet or Exercise: These are the most important things for mental health.
Body perception of adolescents is negatively influenced by Instagram
"32 percent of teenage girls said they felt worse on Instagram when they were already feeling bad," the researchers wrote.
“Comparing Instagram can change the way young women see and describe themselves.” Facebook also reportedly found that 14 percent of boys in the US said Instagram made them feel worse.
According to the report, the app embodies a culture in which only the best pictures and moments are posted, and it works like an addicting product.
+
Instagram has negative effects on mental health - especially among teenage girls.
© Stockbroker / Imago
Also interesting:
Increased depression due to Corona: You can find help here.
Facebook knows about the problem, but has kept data under lock and key
The results of the investigation were given in a presentation to CEO Mark Zuckerberg last year.
However, Facebook interpreted the numbers differently: A large percentage of teenagers would not be negatively harmed by Instagram.
Youngsters would feel more connected to their friends through social media.
The journalists of the
WSJ
had put the study data in a negative light.
So you don't want to change anything on Instagram for the time being.
The company is also in the process of creating a version of Instagram for children under the age of 13.
Young users are a key to Instagram's success.
According to
materials viewed
by the
Wall Street Journal
, more than 40 percent of Instagram users are 22 years old and younger.
Experts agree: When young people and teenagers use social media platforms like Instagram, it leads to the belief that they cannot keep up and are missing out on something like that.
Peer recognition is her greatest wish.
(mad)
List of rubric lists: © Stockbroker / Imago