As Quinn S., 15, scrolls through Instagram, she often experiences any one of these emotions: Intense jealousy of others (including her own friends). Sadness and frustration while taking in the lives of influencers, celebs and random people she doesn’t even know. Plenty of insecurity as she compares her body to the “perfect” ones filling her feed. “Instagram has definitely affected my mental health in a negative way,” Quinn admits.
Julie W., 17, can relate. “Using the app makes me feel more self-conscious,” she shares. “I compare myself to the girls I follow: Why can’t I dress like that? Why don’t I go to cool places? Why don’t I look that good in pictures?”
These girls are not alone. In September, internal research done by Facebook (which owns Instagram) and leaked by a whistleblower revealed that their photo-sharing platforms fuel comparison, create self-esteem issues and, yeah, can be downright damaging—particularly for teenage girls.
Unfortunate? Yes. Surprising? Not really. So why are so many teens still scrolling away? The answer is complicated, explains Quinn.
“I can’t just delete Instagram. There’s pressure to be up-to-date with everyone,” she says. There are also the benefits: You can stay connected to faraway friends and family, easily share your thoughts and talents with a broad audience and follow super inspiring people who may motivate you to crush goals and go after big dreams.
No, Instagram is not *all* bad. But it can be a truly toxic space if you get sucked into the comparison trap— which, as research has proven, is pretty easy to do. So is it possible to safeguard your emotional health and scroll more safely? The answer is yes (phew).
ãã®èšäºã¯ Girls' Life magazine ã® December/January 2022 çã«æ²èŒãããŠããŸãã
7 æ¥éã® Magzter GOLD ç¡æãã©ã€ã¢ã«ãéå§ããŠãäœåãã®å³éžããããã¬ãã¢ã ã¹ããŒãªãŒã9,000 以äžã®éèªãæ°èã«ã¢ã¯ã»ã¹ããŠãã ããã
ãã§ã«è³Œèªè ã§ã ?  ãµã€ã³ã€ã³
ãã®èšäºã¯ Girls' Life magazine ã® December/January 2022 çã«æ²èŒãããŠããŸãã
7 æ¥éã® Magzter GOLD ç¡æãã©ã€ã¢ã«ãéå§ããŠãäœåãã®å³éžããããã¬ãã¢ã ã¹ããŒãªãŒã9,000 以äžã®éèªãæ°èã«ã¢ã¯ã»ã¹ããŠãã ããã
ãã§ã«è³Œèªè ã§ã? ãµã€ã³ã€ã³
Now loading: Meditation mode
Haven't tried it yet? Here's your start-this-second strategy to find your center, no matter the strom.
Spread some cheer (here and there and everywhere)
You know that girl who's always bringing the holiday hype? Oh wait...that's you!
How to eat more vegetables (even if you truly hate them)
GOING DAYSâOR EVEN, YIKES, WEEKSâWITHOUT A SINGLE GREEN? THIS ONEâS FOR YOU.
THIS IS THE YEAR YOU CHANGE THE WORLD
It's exciting to be a part of the generation people say will transform the future.
NEW YEAR'S resolutions officially OUT
What's in, you ask? New Year's intentions, aka the strategy that'll *actually* make all your end-of-December dreams come true.
"Ugh! My family is so...
OK. we're just going to say it: It's valid to sometimes get furiously frustrated and downright disappointed with your nearest and dearest. (Take that as permission to feel *all* your feels rn.) Our gift to you? Breaking down these daunting holiday dynamics so you can get back to being a fa-la-la family again.
Dear Carol
CRUSHING ON A POPULAR BOY There is this boy I've been crushing on.
YOUR 2025 CONFIDENCE GLOW-UP
Sure, you could whisper some mantras, ask your besties to gas you up and listen to \"Bejeweled\" on repeat...or you could try these simple (but srsly effective) hacks for making 2025 your most confident era yet.
GIVE YOURSELF A BREAK
Hunter L., 16, is really tired. Not the kind of tired when you stay up scrolling on TikTok, but tired of, well, being a teenager.
READ THIS before you hard launch
You and your crush are one what-are-we convo away from making it official...except for that one thing.