Instagram’s Influence on Self-representation of Young Users

Year 2023, Issue: 43, 1 - 18, 30.12.2023

Marianna Dorofeeva , Nuran Öze

https://doi.org/10.31123/akil.1352954

Abstract

Social media users are attempting to capture every moment of their life, therefore creating the visual global aesthetic that forms virtuality. This study examines the relationship between the usage of Instagram, and its influence on users’ mental health through social comparison traps, body image, stereotyping, gender differences, cultural background, unrealistic beauty standards, and fake representations. This research tried to find out that the frequency of social comparisons on Instagram may have detrimental consequences on users such as depression and feelings of inadequacy. Furthermore, due to idealized representations, individuals can struggle to distinguish between their true identities and their digital personas. Additionally, widespread usage of weight loss and body image hashtags and trends may negatively impact young adults. However, Instagram might have a beneficial impact as it allows people to express themselves in front of billions of others. A mixed research method approach was applied to fully understand this study by using the Social Comparison scale and asking open-ended short-answer questions. In this context, 105 participants aged between 18 and 25 were asked about their use of the Instagram platform and their comparisons with other users, through electronic surveys. The study aimed to show how social media affects young adults in different ways and to provide insight into how users can better protect their mental health on Instagram. Research findings reveal that Instagram users think that they make rational choices about their online behavior and personal representation, and that they use the platform in a healthy and beneficial way.

Keywords

Instagram, Self-Representation, Social Comparison, Social Media, Young Users

Project Number

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Instagram'ın Genç Kullanıcıların Kendini Temsiline Etkisi

Abstract

Sosyal medya kullanıcıları hayatlarının her anını paylaşımlarıyla yakalamaya çalışırken sanallığı oluşturan görsel küresel estetiği yaratıyor. Bu çalışma, Instagram kullanımı ile Instagram'ın kullanıcıların ruh sağlığı üzerindeki etkisini sosyal karşılaştırma tuzakları, beden imajı, klişeleştirme, cinsiyet farklılıkları, kültürel geçmiş, gerçekçi olmayan güzellik standartları ve sahte temsiller aracılığıyla incelemektedir. Bu araştırma, Instagram'daki sosyal karşılaştırmaların sıklığının, kullanıcılar üzerinde depresyon ve yetersizlik duyguları gibi zararlı sonuçları olabileceğini bulmaya çalışmıştır. Dahası, idealize edilmiş temsiller nedeniyle bireyler, gerçek kimlikleri ile dijital kişilikleri arasında ayrım yapmakta zorlanabileceği düşünülmüştür. Ek olarak, kilo verme ve vücut imajı hashtag'lerinin ve trendlerinin yaygın kullanımı genç yetişkinleri olumsuz etkileyebileceğine inanılmaktadır. Ancak Instagram, insanların kendilerini milyarlarca insanın önünde ifade etmelerine olanak sağladığı için faydalı bir etkiye sahip olabilir. Bu çalışmayı tam olarak anlamak için karma araştırma yöntem yaklaşımı uygulanmıştır. Sosyal Karşılaştırma ölçeği kullanılmasının yanı sıra katılımcılara bazı açık uçlu kısa cevaplı sorular yöneltilmiştir. Yaşları 18 ile 25 arasında değişen 105 katılımcıya Instagram platformunu kullanımları ve diğer kullanıcılarla kıyaslamaları bu bağlamda elektronik anketler vasıtasıyla sorulmuştur. Çalışma, sosyal medyanın genç yetişkinleri farklı şekillerde nasıl etkilediğini göstermeyi ve kullanıcıların Instagram'da zihinsel sağlıklarını nasıl daha iyi koruyabileceklerine dair içgörü sağlamayı amaçlamıştır. Araştırma bulguları, Instagram kullanıcılarının çevrimiçi davranışları ve kişisel temsilleri konusunda rasyonel seçimler yaptıklarını düşündüklerini ve platformu sağlıklı ve faydalı bir şekilde kullandıklarını ortaya koymaktadır.

Keywords

Instagram, Kendini Temsil Etme, Sosyal Karşılaştırma, Sosyal Medya, Genç Kullanıcılar

Ethical Statement

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Supporting Institution

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Project Number

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Thanks

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