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Recent internal documents highlighted by the Wall Street Journal provide alarming insights about Instagram and its effects on the mental health of teenage girls. It has been confirmed that Facebook, the parent company of Instagram, is aware of the app’s detrimental impact on the self-esteem and body image of its young users, particularly girls.
The findings indicate that one-third of teenage girls reported feeling worse about their bodies after using Instagram. This is particularly troubling given that social comparison is a core aspect of the platform, which often leads to negative self-perception among users. In addition, many teens expressed feelings of addiction to the app, struggling to limit their usage despite their desire to do so.
Facebook’s research, which spans several years, underscores the fact that Instagram appears to have a more harmful influence compared to other social media platforms like TikTok and Snapchat, as it emphasizes physical appearances more heavily. Notably, over 40% of teens feeling unattractive attributed these feelings to their time on Instagram.
The statistics are alarming: among American teens who reported suicidal thoughts, 6% linked these feelings to Instagram usage, while the figure rose to 13% among British teens. Given that around 22 million teens access Instagram daily in the U.S., this represents a significant public health concern.
Despite these findings, Facebook executives have minimized the negative impacts of the app. Recently, Mark Zuckerberg even suggested that social media could have positive effects on mental health during a congressional hearing. Adding to the concern, the company has proposed creating a version of Instagram for children under 13, an initiative met with widespread disapproval from lawmakers.
For a comprehensive look at the internal research and testimonies from young users, click here.