Skip to main content
  • News
    • Trending News
    • Videos & Interviews
    • Taylor Swift
    • One Direction
    • Kim Kardashian
  • Music
    • Music Highlights
    • Music Videos
    • Charts
    • Playlists
    • EMAs
    • Brand New For 2018
    • MTV PUSH
    • Artists
  • Shows
    • Latest Shows
    • The Charlotte Show
    • Geordie Shore
    • Ex on the Beach
    • Floribama Shore
    • Just Tattoo Of Us
    • Teen Mom UK
  • Movies
    • Movies Highlights
    • New Movies Coming Soon
    • Videos & Interviews
    • Trailers
    • Moana
  • Games
    • New Games
    • Quizzes
  • Style
  • Life
    • Life
    • MTV Breaks
    • Sex
    • WTF
    • SRS
    • Travel
    • Fitness
  • Pictures
  • Win
  • MTV Bump
  • TV Guide
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Search
  • Pictures
  • Win
  • MTV Bump
  • TV Guide
Home
  • News
    • Trending News
    • Videos & Interviews
    • Taylor Swift
    • One Direction
    • Kim Kardashian
  • Music
    • Music Highlights
    • Music Videos
    • Charts
    • Playlists
    • EMAs
    • Brand New For 2018
    • MTV PUSH
    • Artists
  • Shows
    • Latest Shows
    • The Charlotte Show
    • Geordie Shore
    • Ex on the Beach
    • Floribama Shore
    • Just Tattoo Of Us
    • Teen Mom UK
  • Movies
    • Movies Highlights
    • New Movies Coming Soon
    • Videos & Interviews
    • Trailers
    • Moana
  • Games
    • New Games
    • Quizzes
  • Style
  • Life
    • Life
    • MTV Breaks
    • Sex
    • WTF
    • SRS
    • Travel
    • Fitness
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Search

Instagram

  • Main
  • Videos
  • Pictures
  • News

In Defence Of Instagram

Despite the recent studies on Instagram's negative impact on teens’ mental health, older Instagram users find the platform can be a private and very safe space.

  • Share to Facebook
  • Tweet to Twitter
  • Share to Google plus
Wednesday, August 9, 2017 - 14:49

Somewhere between the people who were born before 1996 and those born after, the way people see Instagram changes. Those falling into the latter see Instagram as a d*ck-measuring of social capital. They have at least 800 followers, post multiple pics a week, and see any post that doesn’t garner at least a three-figure number of likes a failure. Posts that don’t get enough likes will get deleted. Posts without enough comments will get deleted. In fact, posts that don’t get enough engagement within the first ten minutes will get deleted.

Getty

I, and my peers who fall into the former category, have a very different Instagram experience. I am proud of my less than 500 followers.  I’ve done a ‘really good post’ if my upload gets over 70 likes. In five years on the app, I’ve had only one picture hit more than triple digit hearts.  

There’s been a lot of talk around Instagram ever since this study came out back in May ranking the app the worst social media platform for teens’ mental health. This news was probably not much of a shock to most of us. With the hyper-awareness teens have around each other thanks to the platform, evidence shows that they’re suffering more in droves from a whole host of mental health issues from body dysmorphia to severe depression. Instagram, for teens, has made become a place that creates anxiety.

However, for those of us in the Insta-oldie category, the case can be almost entirely the opposite. For those of us in that category, Instagram can not only be a healthy space for us to share, but can actually be a safe haven in the landscape of toxic social media platforms. Although this might be a bizarre thing to hear given not only a lot of our anecdotal experience and the recently published evidence, the teen scene is vastly different from the adult one.

Let me explain.

You’re posting for a smaller, curated audience

For the younger generation of Instagram users, their enormous follower counts are inflated because kids follow other kids until they’ve followed, effectively, everyone at their school. And the older you get the more well known you become, and you see your follower count tick up accordingly. This means that almost every teen that follows this routine has their account on display for not just nearly everyone they know, but everyone they see on a daily basis (plus some). Mix that degree of attention with the general insecurity that teens face and you have a perfect platform for generating unrelenting anxiety.

Getty

This culture does not exist for the older Instagrammers. Instagram only grew in popularity as these people would have left school and run off to new lives at work, college or university where they stopped interacting with people from their youth. Because of this separation, when they downloaded Instagram, they didn’t have to deal with everyone from their hometown following them and peering at their lives. Nor, in fact, did they develop the culture of obsessively following everyone they know, keeping the people they didn’t really like nor the people they didn’t really know from following them. This means that, now, the older users have much smaller follower counts and much smaller audiences to share with and, therefore, the platform has become less of a performance. Sure, anyone posting anything online does so to create a particular image, but when you’re doing it only for your close friends and fam, it’s a significantly less stressful experience.

Without this stress, the older generation can post things they actually care about. Maybe it’s their breakfast or their dog, their boyfriend or their wonderful face. Whatever it is: the older generation spends a lot less time worrying about the reaction that post will get.

Instagram is where you can be unironic

For the oldie group, Facebook and Twitter were the new, cool platforms to use when they were in their teens which then morphed into hotbeds for weird internet culture, memes, and battering arenas in the comment threads. Although they might have been initially, these platforms no longer serve many of us as a place to share earnest thoughts, feelings, or updates, but just act as a place to tag our friends in articles and retweet funny posts. Facebook has become a platform used primarily for messaging and Twitter has become a place for jokes. So where does our earnest content go?

Almost a decade ago, Caroline Huard (@loounie) had an epiphany about her health. “I had been so focused on helping others that I had forgotten myself,” says the occupational therapist from Montreal, who turned her once-sedentary lifestyle around with exercise and healthy eating. These days, Caroline inspires others to do the same with her colorful, plant-based meals and focus on mindfulness. “I believe the more mindful we are, the more grateful, open and generous we can become.” Caroline finds that spirit in her home province of Quebec. “The culture is so unique and rich in history, politics and art,” says Caroline, whose family immigrated from France in the 1800s. “French and English cultures coexist, and there are lots of other vibrant communities.” Caroline is grateful for the open-mindedness that comes with diversity. “Equality and inclusivity are core values in Canada.” This story is part of #🇨🇦❤️, a new series celebrating people all across Canada. Photo by @loounie

Almost a decade ago, Caroline Huard (@loounie) had an epiphany about her health. “I had been so focused on helping others that I had forgotten myself,” says the occupational therapist from Montreal, who turned her once-sedentary lifestyle around with exercise and healthy eating. These days, Caroline inspires others to do the same with her colorful, plant-based meals and focus on mindfulness. “I believe the more mindful we are, the more grateful, open and generous we can become.” Caroline finds that spirit in her home province of Quebec. “The culture is so unique and rich in history, politics and art,” says Caroline, whose family immigrated from France in the 1800s. “French and English cultures coexist, and there are lots of other vibrant communities.” Caroline is grateful for the open-mindedness that comes with diversity. “Equality and inclusivity are core values in Canada.” This story is part of #🇨🇦❤️, a new series celebrating people all across Canada. Photo by @loounie

A post shared by Instagram (@instagram) on Jun 7, 2017 at 5:09pm PDT

You guessed it: Instagram. Because the Instagram culture described in my last point never really developed for the older generation and there are only small audiences to post to, it has become the place to deposit earnest, private and unironic content. However, the younger Instagrammers are robbed of this with none of their platforms giving them a safe online place to share.

It’s also where you can be non-combative and uncompetitive

Similarly to the last point, without having the heavy comparison and competitive element of every single one of our peers, Instagram is also a respite for a different reason: to hide from the combative nature of other social media platforms. On Facebook and Twitter, you can post practically anything as uncontroversial as ‘hurricanes are bad’ and be met with an armada of hurricane enthusiasts who will tell you where you can shove your shitty, uneducated opinion. On Instagram, however, people generally refrain from a) posting opinions and b) arguing in the comments.

Getty

Of course, teens may also experience this combativeness on Facebook and Twitter too (age does not shield you from people screaming their opinions at you in a comment section). But a passive aggression and competition 100% exists for them on Instagram as well. Whether it’s posting a barbed caption aimed at someone you’ve got beef with or trying to get more followers/likes/positive comments on your pics over someone else’s, the Instagram world for teens is, as we’ve seen, a lot more public than those of adults. This makes posting often not just about your own image, but about proving its better than someone else’s. Although, it’s not happening in the obvious way you witness on other platforms, but it is, indeed, happening.

You aren’t beholden to rules or norms

Like I mentioned at the start of this article, teens have unspoken rules that on Instagram, such as appropriate likes per minute, comments per selfie, or followers versus following that adults on the platform just don’t worry about. Without having such a big nor such a judging audience to perform for, the older users are left worrying a hell of a lot less about posting pics that will get tons of attention. Instead, they post a lot more about what they genuinely would like to share. There’s less fear over imperfect selfies or sharing what dorky activity they’re up to or sharing what the things they’re proud of, large or small. They feel more open to posting honestly about things that they found hard or that they really loved or enjoyed.

“My name is Chris (@chrisjsuggs), and I’m 16 years old. This fall, I’m going to my dream school, the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, so I can continue my work in public service. 2014 was probably one of the darkest times you’ve seen in my hometown of Kinston, North Carolina — nearly every other day you were seeing a shooting on the news. I knew I had to do something, and I felt like youth needed a role. So, I invited local media, our mayor, city council members and our police chief to a meeting where I presented my idea for an organization. That was the start of Kinston Teens, a nonprofit that empowers young people through service, leadership and civic engagement. My work there led me to become the youngest recipient ever of the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award. And this past January, when the vice provost of admissions gave me a call personally telling me I was accepted into @uncchapelhill, I was overjoyed. I’m so excited to stay close to my community and continue to make a difference. Three things I’m grateful for: 🙌 My organization, @kinstonteens. Our mission is to empower young people through service leadership, and it’s driven by my passion for my local community of Kinston. I’m committed to improving it. 🙌 Former President @barackobama and former first lady @michelleobama. They are definitely my biggest role models and always have been, throughout their entire time in office. 🙌 My parents. My mom is a teacher, and my dad works for our local government. As public servants, they have always inspired me to get involved — and stay involved.” If you could give a 🙌 to three Instagram accounts who support or inspire you, who would they be? Post using #🙌🙌🙌 for a chance to be featured on Instagram. Follow the hashtags #BetterMakeRoom and #CollegeSigningDay to read about more inspiring students like Chris, and post your college acceptance story. Photo by @chrisjsuggs

“My name is Chris (@chrisjsuggs), and I’m 16 years old. This fall, I’m going to my dream school, the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, so I can continue my work in public service. 2014 was probably one of the darkest times you’ve seen in my hometown of Kinston, North Carolina — nearly every other day you were seeing a shooting on the news. I knew I had to do something, and I felt like youth needed a role. So, I invited local media, our mayor, city council members and our police chief to a meeting where I presented my idea for an organization. That was the start of Kinston Teens, a nonprofit that empowers young people through service, leadership and civic engagement. My work there led me to become the youngest recipient ever of the FBI Director’s Community Leadership Award. And this past January, when the vice provost of admissions gave me a call personally telling me I was accepted into @uncchapelhill, I was overjoyed. I’m so excited to stay close to my community and continue to make a difference. Three things I’m grateful for: 🙌 My organization, @kinstonteens. Our mission is to empower young people through service leadership, and it’s driven by my passion for my local community of Kinston. I’m committed to improving it. 🙌 Former President @barackobama and former first lady @michelleobama. They are definitely my biggest role models and always have been, throughout their entire time in office. 🙌 My parents. My mom is a teacher, and my dad works for our local government. As public servants, they have always inspired me to get involved — and stay involved.” If you could give a 🙌 to three Instagram accounts who support or inspire you, who would they be? Post using #🙌🙌🙌 for a chance to be featured on Instagram. Follow the hashtags #BetterMakeRoom and #CollegeSigningDay to read about more inspiring students like Chris, and post your college acceptance story. Photo by @chrisjsuggs

A post shared by Instagram (@instagram) on May 5, 2017 at 11:09am PDT

Anecdotally, I didn’t post a single thing about when I first started dating my boyfriend on any social media platform until we’d been together for nearly a year. That was, of course, aside from Instagram. Because it feels like a small, safe place where I wasn’t beholden to as many judging eyes or set norms, I felt confident posting something I tend to keep very, very private. 

The older Instagram users have less people who will look at what they have to share. And, because of that, they are free to adopt fewer rules on what or how they post.

The feeds are comparatively more wholesome

My friend Mimi, who is on the younger side of the older Instagram generation, put it nicely on why Instagram is good for it’s older users: ‘soft pictures with little text.’ That is, to say that for teens Instagram can be a toxic and grating thing to look at. But for older users, it can actually be a soothing practice.

Picture this: It’s Sunday morning and you’ve just woken up. You roll over, grab your phone and open Instagram. What do you see? If you’re a teen, you’re being hand-delivered an onslaught of FOMO-inducing pictures from nights out, posted by people you don’t really like or really know. However, if you’re in the older generation you get uploads from your parents out in the garden or your friends walking their dog. You see people’s homemade lasagne from last night and brands posting light pictures of soft furnishings and coffee.

When you’re on older Instagram, sure, you see people out having fun and making their lives look like a nonstop joy ride. But you also see a lot more cliché sunsets, cats, groceries and sunflowers. You don’t see many bikini shots, nights out, or prosecco-hoisting boomerangs.  It’s not that these things are bad or not okay, post whatever the hell you like and have fun, but they often lead to unhealthily comparisons of ourselves and our lives to those of our counterparts. FOMO-inducing pics create this, pictures of your aunt’s latest recipe, on the other hand, does not.

I know Cindy drinks this so I'm in!!!

I know Cindy drinks this so I'm in!!!

A post shared by Kim Kardashian West (@kimkardashian) on Jun 7, 2017 at 12:28pm PDT

Instagram, as a platform, has a lot of flaws. From its double-standards on nudity to its f**ked up algorithms, it leaves a lot of issues even beyond what it’s doing to teens mental health.  But for some of us, a loophole has been found. And it, for us, it makes Instagram not just good, but our happy place to go online. And for those people who use it in that small, private way, Instagram has managed to make a wonderful safe space among the drudgery of the social media. 

Words by Sarah Manavis.

Now get checking out Conor Franta's social media do's and dont's...

Latest News

EDM DJ Avicii makes an appearance in February 2016
Superstar DJ Avicii Found Dead at 28
Ex On The Beach Spoiler: Becky Taylor Finds Out About Ex Zach Tull’s Filthy Shower Sex After He And Laura Brown Confess All To Marnie Simpson And Casey Johnson
Can We All Just Agree That Unicorn And Mermaid Makeup Is Actually Kind Of The Worst
Deadpool 2
Watch The FINAL Trailer For Deadpool 2 Rip Apart The DC Movies
Normani
Normani Confirms Missy Elliott Collaboration Is Happening
The Beauty Products MTV Staff Can't Live Without
Charlotte Crosby Shares Footage Of Josh Ritchie’s VERY Peachy Naked Bum
11 Perfumes Celebrities Actually Wear
You Can Now Eat Bloody Tampon Macarons If That’s What You’re Into
Ariana Grande in the music video for 'No Tears Left To Cry'
New Music Round-Up: Ariana Grande, Liam Payne, Anne-Marie
Does This Picture Prove Zayn Malik And Gigi Hadid Are Back On?
Did Chloe Moretz Shade Brooklyn Beckham With This Outfit Detail?
Taipei
8 Reasons Taipei Is Holiday Goals
Ariana Grande in the music video for 'No Tears Left To Cry'
Ariana Grande's 'No Tears Left to Cry' Is A Phenomenal Return
MTV Records With SG Lewis
MTV Records: SG Lewis Talks The Neptunes, Working With Nile Rodgers & His Debut Album
Jess Glynne Press Pic
This Is Your Chance To Ask Jess Glynne Anything!
Dermot Kennedy
Get to Know: Dermot Kennedy
11 Easy Ways To Be More Eco Every Day
Liam Payne & J Balvin
Liam Payne Teases New J Balvin Duet Out This Friday
Nicki Minaj
Nicki Minaj Will Be Performing on the SNL Season Finale

More From Instagram

11 Instagrammable Beauty Brands For Building The Ultimate shelfie
Instagram Launch Focus Feature To Take Super Sharp Portrait Images
Your Instagram Feed Is Going To Be Chronological Again
Demi Lovato Is A Seasoned Pro At Sliding In The DMs And We Should All Be More Like Her
Gary Beadle confuses fans
Geordie Shore Fans Are Very Confused About Gaz Beadle's Latest Selfie
How To Instagram Like The Kardashian-Jenner Family Without Being Rich
Why You Need To Think Twice Before Screenshotting Someone’s Instagram Story
Geordie Shore's Holly Hagan Takes Down Body-Shamers In The Best Way
How To Turn Off The Instagram Feature That Reveals When You Were Last Active
Life
These Social Media Sex Ed Gals Will Change How You Think About STIs
The Social Media Stars Celebrating Their Differences In The Best Ways
How To Grow Your Social Media Following As Told By Your Fave Influencers

Trending Articles

Sophie Kasaei, Olivia Buckland And Lateysha Grace Talk Mental Health In Episode 3
Geordie Shore's Gaz Beadle Suffers Sunburn So Red Raw We're In Pain Just From Looking At It
Does This Picture Prove Zayn Malik And Gigi Hadid Are Back On?
EDM DJ Avicii makes an appearance in February 2016
Superstar DJ Avicii Found Dead at 28
TV Shows
Geordie Shore 17: Holly Hagan Returns And Meet The New Australian Radgies! Find Out When The Series Starts And Everything You Need To Know
Watch Marnie Simpson Squirm In Horror As She Faces Ricky Rayment For The First Time Since Their Split
TV Shows
Ex On The Beach Spoiler: Becky Taylor Finds Out About Ex Zach Tull’s Filthy Shower Sex After He And Laura Brown Confess All To Marnie Simpson And Casey Johnson
Jemma Lucy in Portugal
Jemma Lucy Flaunts The Eye-Popping Results Of Her Two Brazilian Butt Lift Procedures
Chloe Ferry Hits Out At Reports She’s Pregnant With Sam Gowland’s Baby
Charlotte Crosby Shares Footage Of Josh Ritchie’s VERY Peachy Naked Bum
ZAYN
Zayn Malik Has Reportedly Been Dropped By His Management For Being 'Hot-Headed'
Kylie Jenner and Travis Scott have date night.
Kylie Jenner And Travis Scott Enjoy Date Night As Kylie Shares The Cutest Video Of Stormi Smiliing
  • Contact Us
  • Access Services
  • Website Terms
  • Mobile Terms
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • MTV Jobs
  • MTV Press
  • Anti-Slavery
  • Global Tax Policy Statement
Hit us with some keywords!