Instagram should be targeted for closure instead of this website

[Snake of Eden]

Those who advocate shutting down this website got it wrong. Social media and specifically Instagram should be the target to be eradicated from this planet. It does nothing more than making people and especially youth who are most vulnerable to feel less about themselves and their lives. This is very dangerous. How are they allowed to get away with it so much? So many research studies are coming forward to warn about the dangers of social media and it is awful effect on the youth that pushes them to want to end their lives yet this website is targeted as the solution to stop suicides. If you have something to add or would like to post links to anything related including opinions, testimonies, victims, studies or discussions please feel free to share.

Regina King's well respected actress son Ian Alexander, 26 y.o. Took his own life few days ago. In his last tweets he said that Instagram was causing him mental health to suffer



How many innocent soul have to suffer like this so other people have the freedom to show off their unrealistic and hedonistic Lifestyles so everyone else have to feel bad about themselves. This is pure evil. This is madness.

Please give me ideas how should I start advocating against instagram. Are there any well established efforts to shut it down? How do I go by to start a movement to get attention about the evils being committed by the existence of such platform. I am open for ideas and I am very serious. If nothing exists already I will try my best to start this type of movement. This is so evil. We cant let this keep happening

 

[Mr2005]

It's bad for mine I know that much but the reasons are my own. I can think of several that objectively speaking shouldn't exist the first place. The whole world might be better off if the internet never existed. I can't say for certain but I know I would

 

[Feeding Pigeons]

Absolutely. If we're really being serious? Like if we actually gave a shit about our youth? They shouldn't have phones that do anything but make calls or play music. I'm lucky that I started using a smart phone late, and never cared for any of those social media platforms. They present a warped reflection of reality, and when you're looking at that more than actual reality you're going to believe the reflection is whats real.

 

[WoAiGou]

A million times yes! Social media has done absolutely nothing beneficial for humanity, in all honesty the internet as a whole as been a net negative. The issue is it's such a runaway train that I have no idea how you'd go about correcting it, shut down one site and another pops up. Unless you're actually in control of society and government there's no stopping this madness. Humanity as a whole needs to have some sort of simultaneous massive spiritual awakening, global water supplies laced with Psilocybin or something.

 

[Sherri]

I can't stand instagram. Used to have 600 plus selfies of mine everywhere, now I see those pics were dumb and all those pics with perfect bodies and happy smiles are all fake or sponsored for. I deleted my account prob for 3 years now, same as Facebook, only have messenger on.

 

[Snake of Eden]

Instagram is the WORST social media for our mental health! What can you do? | The Times of India

According to a recent report by the Royal Society for Public Health in the United Kingdom, Instagram is the worst social media for mental health, while Snapchat comes a close second.

m.timesofindia.com

 

[Snake of Eden]

Facebook documents show how toxic Instagram is for teens, Wall Street Journal reports

The company is in the process of making a version of Instagram for kids.

www.cnbc.com

 

[Soulless Angel]

I don't like social media, but I need to have it for my business and its handy for networking, but every social media platform, every forum on the internet, every outlet out there is a risk to any ones mental health, it all depends on how you use it.
Yes the world may be a better place without the internet, I spent my teenage years in the 90's and it was amazing, but there's so much now via the internet that could have saved my childhood being so tortured and full of pain, I would have still gone through shit, but I would have had an escape or even a chance to find help and support,

The internet has its uses, but endless scrolling on social media is going to kill anyones brain cells after a while, esp youngsters, when they are at a point of being so easily led to believe the bullshit that is out there

 

[Snake of Eden]

I don't like social media, but I need to have it for my business and its handy for networking, but every social media platform, every forum on the internet, every outlet out there is a risk to any ones mental health, it all depends on how you use it.
Yes the world may be a better place without the internet, I spent my teenage years in the 90's and it was amazing, but there's so much now via the internet that could have saved my childhood being so tortured and full of pain, I would have still gone through shit, but I would have had an escape or even a chance to find help and support,

The internet has its uses, but endless scrolling on social media is going to kill anyones brain cells after a while, esp youngsters, when they are at a point of being so easily led to believe the bullshit that is out there

I dont really think it is so much an internet problem as it is social media and specifcally instagram. Its biggest purpose is to use unrealistic filters to make things look much better than they actually are. We cant just put it all together with the rest of the internet and say this just depends on how you decide to use it? This is not accurate at all view. Young people are hyper fixated on those specific platforms more than anything else on the internet and it is very obvious nothing good they are contributing to. This is a real problem that needs more discussion and cant be easily dismissed as to be just as bad as anything else out there because thats not true

 

[noname223]

Instagram makes me really depressed. And I think I am not the only one.

Though I don't think they should shut it down. I am against more censorship on the internet.

 

[Depressed Cat]

I've never had an Instagram or Snapchat account, and I deleted my Facebook accounts long ago. I have a fake Twitter account that uses a pseudonym. I don't trust social media platforms.

 

[9BBN]

I think social media has done a lot of good and a lot of bad. More research needs to be done on how it affects our mental health. The problem is that it's so individually tailored to each user so it's hard to extrapolate from our own experiences how it's affecting others. We can only unite on common issues like the highlight reel effects and unhealthy screen time.

 

[Snake of Eden]

I think social media has done a lot of good and a lot of bad. More research needs to be done on how it affects our mental health. The problem is that it's so individually tailored to each user so it's hard to extrapolate from our own experiences how it's affecting others. We can only unite on common issues like the highlight reel effects and unhealthy screen time.

I agree with you. Thats why I target instagram for the most part because unlike the other social media, people tend to use it to show off highly curated images and stories of their lives and it fuels alot of resentment, jealousy and dissatisfaction for people who consume them. They are all guilty to some extent but instagram mode of operation and focus is especially guilty of spreading negative values to society and especially the youth. I think all our media culture and popular platforms needs hard examining and scrutiny about their harmful potential but for now I think focusing on instagram as the worst culprit in worsening mental health is a good message to start this

 

[orange]

God I fucking wish my biggest problem was instagram. What a life.

 

[Kristicide]

It can be easy to just blame social media. But different generations had their version that caused concern to many parents or adults about the younger people. Television, rock music, rap music, models in magazines, video games etc. While I do think social media can sometimes have a negative impact it seems like the same views were held about the aforementioned innovations during their time. Some people will always be susceptible to going down the wrong path while others do not.

 

[settheory]

Social media addiction is dangerous, but the reasons of youth suicides apparently caused by social media are usually much deeper. I wrote a post in another thread but it's still relevant here.

https://sanctioned-suicide.net/thre...icide-of-11-year-old-girl.82205/#post-1467838

And some of the bad things that happen on social media are basically just reflections of what happens outside internet - bad peer pressure, bullying, etc.

 

[Snake of Eden]

God I fucking wish my biggest problem was instagram. What a life.

Sad isnt it? To feel like crap and to lose your life over feeling inadequate in comparison to others who seem to be awesome and have much awesome lives than you can ever dream to achieve

 

[orange]

Sad isnt it? To feel like crap and to lose your life over feeling inadequate in comparison to others who seem to be awesome and have much awesome lives than you can ever dream to achieve

Sorry. We're all living in our own little hell.

 

[Snake of Eden]

It can be easy to just blame social media. But different generations had their version that caused concern to many parents or adults about the younger people. Television, rock music, rap music, models in magazines, video games etc. While I do think social media can sometimes have a negative impact it seems like the same views were held about the aforementioned innovations during their time. Some people will always be susceptible to going down the wrong path while others do not.

I recognize what you have mentioned but I deeply believe that instagram specifically is very problematic in itself. While not all people are susceptible to be affected negatively by it yet I think the whole concept of use behind it is not very beneficial and concentrate on unrealistic standards of looking and living. TV, music, models and magazines, video games all have their fair share of contributing to worsening mental health but Instagram as platform is much more widely popular and accessible. There is hardly anything in it that is not about vanity and glamour. It is one faceted in my opinion which makes it even more dangerous

 

[Starryeyes]

I find it difficult because I'm constantly asking my friends to spend time with me but I get they are busy then they always posting pictures of them out :( it's so depressing

 

[demuic]

Unfortunately there is too much money behind the continued existence of these platforms. The rest of the internet can be said to have some value even with there being so many negatives as well but nothing good has come from social media like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc. People are worse off with these things. People were really not meant to have every little thought or aspect of their lives broadcasted and put under examination and now the price is being paid. Not to mention the effect it has had on the erosion of privacy, but that is another topic.

I am not sure how long social media will continue to dominate the lives of so many people. It is scary to think it will be here for a long time. It is hard to say considering most of this has only taken place within the past 20 years, very very rapidly. It is theoretically possible all of this could go away just as quickly but I am not hopeful for that.. it seems very entrenched in society now, to the point where it is often being considered weird if someone has no social media presence in any capacity. I have seen this a lot around people of my generation. For the younger ones now I am sure it is even worse.

Perhaps some websites will die out eventually and new ones will come up to take those place. But unless people change their attitudes surrounding social media and the way they use it, and take up more healthy and less toxic behaviors, the problem would just repeat again. I have doubts this would happen as culture is turning more and more towards upholding superficiality and discouraging any deep thinking about the status quo.

It is true that the bad behaviors are similar to what goes on outside the internet, but they are multiplied and made worse by the fact sitting behind a screen makes it even easier to paint false pictures of reality and treat people badly.

 

[Oblivion]

Why? Instagram is just a mirror to the real world when you go to parties, go to gatherings etc.. you see these people, whatever Instagram effect has on you the same effect will happen in real life, if someone feels bad cause of instagram just stay away, these are people behind these accounts and even if you shut down instagram, there will be an alternative sooner or later, its just human nature.

 

[summers]

I find it difficult because I'm constantly asking my friends to spend time with me but I get they are busy then they always posting pictures of them out :( it's so depressing

I did the same thing to my family - told them I wasn't coming to town, then posted videos of a concert I went to 10 mins from their house lol. I said it was a last-minute thing, and I had to catch a flight. Honestly - I just didn't want to see them...

 

[LastFlowers]

Those who advocate shutting down this website got it wrong. Social media and specifically Instagram should be the target to be eradicated from this planet. It does nothing more than making people and especially youth who are most vulnerable to feel less about themselves and their lives. This is very dangerous. How are they allowed to get away with it so much? So many research studies are coming forward to warn about the dangers of social media and it is awful effect on the youth that pushes them to want to end their lives yet this website is targeted as the solution to stop suicides. If you have something to add or would like to post links to anything related including opinions, testimonies, victims, studies or discussions please feel free to share.

Regina King's well respected actress son Ian Alexander, 26 y.o. Took his own life few days ago. In his last tweets he said that Instagram was causing him mental health to suffer

View attachment 84463

How many innocent soul have to suffer like this so other people have the freedom to show off their unrealistic and hedonistic Lifestyles so everyone else have to feel bad about themselves. This is pure evil. This is madness.

Please give me ideas how should I start advocating against instagram. Are there any well established efforts to shut it down? How do I go by to start a movement to get attention about the evils being committed by the existence of such platform. I am open for ideas and I am very serious. If nothing exists already I will try my best to start this type of movement. This is so evil. We cant let this keep happening

I think the "real world", outside of staring at a screen, still incites similar feelings and unfortunate realizations of one's own inferiority (as society defines it), but I certainly would not mourn the loss of most social media platforms.
(They are basically just hubs of concentrated and shitty human behavior.)
It also may be possible for any more useful and necessary aspects to remain while stripping the superficial crap from the top and tossing it.

 

[Snake of Eden]

I think the real world, outside of staring at a screen, still incites similar feelings and unfortunate realizations of one's own inferiority (as society defines it), but I certainly would not mourn the loss of most social media platforms.
It also may be possible for any more useful and necessary aspects to remain while stripping the superficial crap from the top and tossing it.

I agree. Based on what you said, i think instagram and anything that is equal in concept, as popular and having the same harmful effects and not so much positives to make up for it, should be tossed not to be looked at ever again

 

[summers]

I agree. Based on what you said, i think instagram and anything that is equal in concept, as popular and having the same harmful effects and not so much positives to make up for it, should be tossed not to be looked at ever again

But my friends are hot, and I love seeing the new clothes they buy and how their hair and nails turn out. If anything, ig and twitter are very supportive for them. I have a bunch of followers too, mainly posting concert vids and working on my cars and motorcycles.

Not quite sure what the issue is. I follow a bunch of fitness models. They don't make me feel bad, just give me added incentive to work harder. I know I'll never be as attractive as them, but that's life. Would it be better for us to all be clones with no differences?

 

[myopybyproxy]

Facebook documents show how toxic Instagram is for teens, Wall Street Journal reports

The company is in the process of making a version of Instagram for kids.

www.cnbc.com

Of course Facebook wants people to stop using Instagram so they will start using Facebook instead. Developing a different version of the app only shows their true motive - to make money. Much like how the iPhone comes out with a new version every other month. How exactly did they say the kids' version will be better or safer than the original?

Although social media (via excessive comparisons and continual raising of the standards for 'attractive', 'talented', 'popular', etc) and the internet in general (via replacing other healthy activities and increased screen time) do have their flaws, censorship is a concern that must be taken into account. What will stop another app from taking Instagram's place? Anyhow, we still have Reddit, Snapchat, etc which are also cesspools of groupthink, toxic positivity, hateful echo chambers, and many more such wholesome attractions. And as some other people have said, online reflects offline - with some distortions and exaggerations, of course, but the fundamental issues like bullying and scams are a part of this world with or without the internet.

As for ideas, perhaps a change dot org petition? @Xeroornothing

I find it difficult because I'm constantly asking my friends to spend time with me but I get they are busy then they always posting pictures of them out :( it's so depressing

Agreed. One major issue I have with social media is that it promotes supplanting one's real life with virtual experiences - rather than enjoying the moment, people scramble to find the perfect angle or lighting or caption for their photo - which has become even worse since the pandemic.

 

[Snake of Eden]

Of course Facebook wants people to stop using Instagram so they will start using Facebook instead. Developing a different version of the app only shows their true motive - to make money. Much like how the iPhone comes out with a new version every other month. How exactly did they say the kids' version will be better or safer than the original?

Although social media (via excessive comparisons and continual raising of the standards for 'attractive', 'talented', 'popular', etc) and the internet in general (via replacing other healthy activities and increased screen time) do have their flaws, censorship is a concern that must be taken into account. What will stop another app from taking Instagram's place? Anyhow, we still have Reddit, Snapchat, etc which are also cesspools of groupthink, toxic positivity, hateful echo chambers, and many more such wholesome attractions. And as some other people have said, online reflects offline - with some distortions and exaggerations, of course, but the fundamental issues like bullying and scams are a part of this world with or without the internet.

As for ideas, perhaps a change dot org petition? @Xeroornothing

Thanks for your suggestion. To be quite honest, I dont mind rooting for facebook to take down Instagram. I think Instagram is way more harmful and without much benefits to outweigh the harm. I would collaborate myself with the devil (Facebook in this case) to take down Instagram. Instagram is more harmful than internet porn in my opinion.

 

[myopybyproxy]

Why? Instagram is just a mirror to the real world when you go to parties, go to gatherings etc.. you see these people, whatever Instagram effect has on you the same effect will happen in real life, if someone feels bad cause of instagram just stay away, these are people behind these accounts and even if you shut down instagram, there will be an alternative sooner or later, its just human nature.

It is an amplified mirror in that those with extreme opinions tend to be most vocal - especially with political drama whereas offline they may not be as so. And people who may not have as loud a presence offline can be completely different persona online and even be considered 'influencer'. Thus the real world is not exactly the same as online. There are similarities but the differences are important.

 

[summers]

Thanks for your suggestion. To be quite honest, I dont mind rooting for facebook to take down Instagram. I think Instagram is way more harmful and without much benefits to outweigh the harm. I would collaborate myself with the devil (Facebook in this case) to take down Instagram. Instagram is more harmful than internet porn in my opinion.

Facebook owns ig. They have completely different business models, and generate revenue in different ways.