That’s an “important distinction” to the assumption that Instagram’s problems stem from simply trying to maximize profit at all costs, Chakrabarti argued, because it points to something deeper, at the very heart of what makes Instagram what it is and “suggests different (and harder) remedies.” How Instagram could address the problem “ could just be that a system that encourages visual sharing unintentionally creates a prestige economy that is detrimental to the vulnerable,” said Samidh Chakrabarti, a former high-ranking Facebook employee focused on fixing the structural issues with the platform, who recently left his role at the company, in a tweet. Read more: How Social Media Is a Toxic Mirrorīut social media apps like Instagram exacerbate that problem for a segment of the population that is already prone to making these comparisons, some experts argue. “It’s just that on social media people often present a very enhanced, unrealistic version of their appearance.” “People have always wanted to present the best version of themselves to others,” says Fardouly. Researchers found that young women’s self image was especially badly affected by making comparisons between themselves and what they viewed on the platform.īut in Congressional testimony in March 2021, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg indicated to lawmakers that research had shown that social media apps had “positive mental-health benefits” when used to connect with others.Īccording to researchers, platforms like Instagram can contribute to body image issues and depression because humans have an innate desire to compare themselves to others. The Journal also found that Instagram research showed that, among teenage users who reported suicidal thoughts, 13% of British users and 6% of American users traced those feelings to their use of Instagram. “That means you’re going to have a collision between what’s good for mental health and what’s good for profit.”Īn internal Instagram presentation from March 2020 seen by the Journal said that when 32% of teenage girls “felt bad about their bodies, Instagram made them feel worse.”
“We have to acknowledge the broader point that Instagram and other social media apps are designed to keep people using them for as many hours as possible, because that’s how they make the most money,” says Jean Twenge, author of iGen, a book about the first generation who grew up with smartphones and social media. Some also point out that Facebook’s interests as a company often conflict with the safety of its users. “We may be able to reduce harm, but there will always be some ways that Instagram is harmful.” “I think because Instagram is based on images, it is difficult to not make it an appearance-focused environment,” said Jasmine Fardouly, a research fellow at the University of New South Wales in Australia focused on social media’s impact on body image.
The model mothers walked with their daughters, others had visible tattoos, a 52-year-old woman strutted the runway and another was very pregnant.But researchers and former Facebook employees say Instagram’s problems may be inherent to the platform and therefore almost impossible to fix. Not content to hire only 20-something beach babes, HAH sent out models of various ethnicities and ages. Working within the already restrictive parameters of sample production, the label cast a range of women outside the conventions of those typically seen in Swim Week’s shows to model their Hot-As-Hell line, and daughters of the brand’s creative director, friends and models, to show their new UV-protective and eco-friendly kids line ‘Hot-As-Halo.’ The environmentally and ethically-conscious label described its collection as being inspired by, a celebration of, and created for females of all ages.Īs the rise of social media has given the general public a voice, the most consistent request seems to be a call for diversity wherever possible. The label, whose collection features swimwear for both women and girls, hired, well, women and girls to model their designs at the industry event. California-based label Hot-as-Hell has divided the public over its decision to cast child models in runway show to introduce its children’s swimwear line, and re-sparked the debate as to what constitutes the sexualisation of children.
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