Instagram is full of celebrities, influencers, and advertisements alike encouragers users to buy certain products. Unfortunately, these products typically aren’t so innocent or tennager-friendly. Popular celebrities such as Kim Kardashian, Kourtney Kardashian, and Kylie Jenner are all promoters of lose-weight-quick teas, diets, and cleanses. While these promoters might not think much of their posts, it tends to have an affect on those liking them.
Social Media and Our Children
It’s no secret that body issues and body dysmorphia are prevalent in today’s society. Social media runs the world as it stands. With it, people try to show off their “best looking” photographs in order to acquire more likes than their friends. When a “good” number of likes aren’t achieved, this typically results in extreme or harmful ways to change the results.
Instagram’s Plan
Finally, Instagram is stepping up and has announced that they will restrict, remove, or censor all questionable weight loss products or cosmetic procedures. In a world where looks hold precedence over all, Instagram does not help to make people think differently. Spokesperson Emma Collins stated the platform did this to “reduce the pressure that people can feel sometimes as a result of social media.”
Users of Instagram
Users between the ages of 18 and 29 make up the majority of all Instagram accounts. These ages are very important as this is when people tend to care most about their looks. With 500 million daily users and one billion monthly users worldwide, this could have a huge impact. By diminishing the importance of looks, people could live happier, healthier lives, comfortable in their own skin.
In the midst of constant changes and updates to all social media platforms, this one is at least one of the most possibly impactful changes announced. Only time will tell if this will actually make a difference, but it’s good to know that they are stepping in the right direction. Celebrities will continue to exist and post their glamour shots on the platform, but if they promote fewer life-changing products, maybe then we can see some different results regarding our children’s self esteem.
