Internal Studies Show Instagram Worsens Teen Body Image Issues
Facebook's own research reveals that Instagram negatively impacts the body image and mental health of a significant portion of teenage users. Despite these known harms, the company continues to prioritize engagement features and develops a version of the app for younger children.
Internal Facebook studies reveal that Instagram is toxic for many teenagers, with the platform making body image issues worse for one in three teen girls. The research shows that a notable percentage of young users in both the US and the UK trace their suicidal thoughts directly back to their Instagram usage. Additionally, fourteen percent of boys in the US report that the app makes them feel worse about themselves.
The features that cause the most harm are fundamental elements of the Instagram experience. Researchers warn that the Explore page pushes vulnerable users toward damaging content, while the app's overall culture of showcasing only idealized moments acts as an addictive product. These elements combine to create what the research describes as a perfect storm for teenage mental health.
Despite top executives and CEO Mark Zuckerberg reviewing these troubling findings, Facebook struggles to fix the problem without sacrificing user engagement. Young users make up over forty percent of Instagram's audience, and the company is simultaneously moving forward with plans to build a version of the app for children under thirteen. In response to the reports, Instagram states it is exploring ways to nudge users away from harmful content and toward posts that inspire them.