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How Instagram breaks teens' self-esteem (Analysis)

2021-10-10T07:19:47.897Z


Therapist John Duffy identifies the risks to adolescents' self-esteem and mental health when using Instagram and exposing themselves to the content of the platform.


Teens analyze how social media impacts them 2:41

(CNN) -

A 17-year-old girl I see in therapy has a daily "selfie process" that can last an hour or more.


It takes her that long to modify and filter a photo of her enough to feel comfortable posting it on Instagram.

She once demonstrated the process in my office, admitting that she knew it was nothing like her.

But the "likes" came so quickly that I knew I would do it again the next day.

He called it "self-esteem addiction."

Instagram can be a dark and troubled place for our children's minds, my teenage clients tell me. Not feeling good enough to post a selfie, for example, they use filters and alter the shape of their bodies to reflect those of celebrities or influencers whose physiques they admire, many of whom, our children are aware, are doing the same.

The charade is addictive.

I have worked with countless girls who have significantly altered the images they post to have a certain look, and countless others who are traumatized when others post images of them.

This group follows other Instagram accounts, but rarely posts images of themselves for fear of embarrassment or ridicule for their appearance: their weight, their face, their hair, all feel exposed to the judgments of these teenagers.

In fact, according to research by parent company Facebook, Instagram can have a negative impact on the mental health and body image of teenagers, especially girls.

Boys' self-esteem is also affected

However, it is important to remember that adolescent boys are also at risk.

Teenage and preteen boys often follow other boys and men who they consider to have ideal masculine bodies or who are more attractive than they are.

They have many of the same insecurities as their female counterparts, but they can be less expressive.

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One of the guys I work with removes the Instagram app from his phone from time to time, fully aware that other guys in his class have a lot more followers and have accumulated a lot more "likes" than him.

This causes him to loathe himself, firmly believing that he is unfriendly.

  • What Parents Should Know About Guiding Their Children Through Puberty

The Instagram Teen Therapist

Even teens who are trying to provide support and connection may be doing some harm.

Trying to support their peers suffering from depression, anxiety, attention problems, or eating disorders on Instagram, they post inspirational quotes, photos of reasonable meals, and realistic photos of their faces and bodies, flaws and all.

While it is encouraging that teens want to support each other, and much of it may seem quite helpful, it can be a dangerous thing to do.

There are no trained professionals to monitor their advice, and advice and support can sometimes provide incorrect information that can be counterproductive and, in some cases, dangerous.

Too often, our children become de facto therapists for others without a caring and trusted adult to serve as an ally or guide through the mountain of images and information on Instagram.

Many children are not prepared for the blow to their self-esteem due to all these variables.

An important part of Instagram's problem is that its damage usually only occurs late at night.

Since our children do not usually go to their parents when they are suffering in this way, loneliness often accompanies these self-esteem problems.

In the end, a social network probably designed for fun and connection presents a much grimmer reality for our children.

Research from Facebook also suggests that Instagram can be a good thing for children's emotional well-being.

Sometimes that is true.

I work with a teenager who found support for her eating disorder and ways to overcome it primarily on Instagram.

She now created an account that provides support and encouragement to other teens who have it.

But from what I see in my practice, I think the negatives far outweigh the positives.

  • Instagram promoted pages glorifying eating disorders on teen accounts

Therefore, it is critical that adults take steps to ensure that the use of Instagram does not cause undue harm to the self-esteem of our teens and tweens.

Dark Instagram: Finsta and the promotion of radical groups

If you ask any teenager, and they are honest, they will tell you that they have more than one Instagram account. A "Finsta", or fake Instagram account, is a second private account that the boys reserve for certain friends. It is not the account that their parents allow to follow. A Finsta often has more risque content, sometimes inappropriate, that adults never see. There is a risk that a child will create an untenable situation for themselves, even when adults believe they are monitoring their accounts.

Some of my clients also express radical or extreme thoughts on these more anonymous accounts, from polarized political ideology to accounts targeting certain groups, often boys attacking girls.

I have worked with some kids who have been surprised by their school or by a family member with one of these accounts.

The damage to these individuals can be powerful.

The broader issue is that Instagram carries social and emotional landmines for even the most mature and emotionally stable teens.

Now there is talk of an Instagram Kids, available for children from 10 to 12 years old.

The usefulness of this network is questionable at best.

Our teens are not prepared for the emotional consequences of Instagram.

It gives me chills to think of the negative impact such an app would have on the psyche of our tweens.

  • Facebook stops its plans to launch an Instagram for children

And we must remember that many tweens are already on Instagram, either lying about their age or through Finsta accounts.

Exposing even younger kids to Instagram seems like an unnecessary risk, to say the least.

Do not underestimate the concerns of your children

I have worked with some parents whose children have openly told them in sessions that Instagram has a strong negative impact on their emotional well-being and the way they feel about themselves, many sharing stories like the ones detailed above.

Sometimes parents just believe them.

Other times, parents ignore their children's concerns.

These parents tell me that they think social media is a silly and stupid place to earn their sense of self-worth.

And that may be true.

How to help teenagers manage their emotions?

0:53

But what they do not understand is that social networks are an essential component of the world that our children inhabit now.

And Instagram is now an important medium for them to connect socially.

When kids say they feel like they're missing something socially when they're not on Instagram, a crucial part of their social life, that's their truth.

Talk to your children

Talk openly with your kids about the nature of Instagram and other social media, both the pros and cons.

And make yourself available to listen to them.

Of course, parents of children struggling with their Instagram presence can also recognize how difficult it must be for them, while pointing out the many positive ways they view their child.

Parents can also make sure to provide their children with other sources of self-esteem in addition to social media.

This could include extracurricular activities like sports, drama, music, or art - anything they have more control over than the number of "likes" and followers they have on Instagram.

  • This is the formula to manage emotions and consolidate self-esteem

I also urge parents to remove smartphones and iPads from their children's bedrooms at night.

These electronic detoxes will keep you from falling into some of the self-esteem traps outlined here, no doubt.

Also, they are likely to sleep more soundly.

The more opportunities children have to build self-esteem outside the realm of Instagram, the more inoculated they will be to the potential negative impact of that site.

Self Esteem Instagram

Source: cnnespanol

All news articles on 2021-10-10

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