Instagram is associated with increased mental health issues due to users' tendency to compare themselves to others, leading to lower self-esteem, depression, and anxiety. The platform promotes unrealistic portrayals of life, exacerbating feelings of inadequacy and body dysmorphia among its users. Proposed solutions to mitigate these effects include unfollowing 'perfect' accounts, taking breaks from social media, and understanding the nature of photo editing.

1. Instagram
is Causing
Mental Illness
Photo: Pexels by pixabay

2. Due to the rise of Instagram,
the constant comparison to
other people's lives is more
common than ever before and
therefore is causing lower self-
esteem and even mental
illnesses in individuals.

3. it all started with a desire
To Be Noticed... (1)
Photo: Pexels by Tyler Hendy

4. The problem is...

5. When visited
obsessively,
social media has
been linked to
depression
(2)
Photo: Pexels by David McEachan

6. all due to social media use and the stress of
achieving an unrealistic perfection
70% increase in depression rates
42%increase in social anxiety rates
(3)

7. Depression seems to worsen when: trying so
hard to be cheerful online, while being so sad
in real life.
(4)
Photo: Pexels by Burak Kebapci

8. Social media sites increase the chance of
online predators, cyberbullying etc.(5)
(1)
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9. Social media sites tend to increase
relationship problems due to factors
such as jealousy
(6 & 7)
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10. and the thing is... Instagram is every bad
thing about Facebook heightened.
-Seeks 'likes'
-More editing tools -more bragging
(8)
Photo: Pexels by pixabay

11. instagrammers are
looking for the version
of themselves that gets
the most likes
(9)
Photo: Pexels by: Tookapic

12. Instagrammers will
go to extreme
lengths to hide their
perceived flaws
(9)
Photo: Pexels by Tim Gout

13. Instagrammers
therefore only show
their best selves
(9)
Photo: Pexels by Lukas

14. These social media posters become their
own worst critics
(9)
Photo: Pexels by Unsplash

15. Being one's own worst critic either leads to
being too embarrassed to post a picture OR
editing the picture
(9)
Photo: Pexels by SplitShire

16. in reality, Instagram is
one big illusion with
lighting, angles, makeup
and filters being very
carefully chosen
(10)
Photo: Pexels by kinkate

17. Viewers who are unaware of just how edited
and altered the photos are, are looking up to
this unrealistic portrayal.
(9)
Photo: Pexels by Mantas Hesthaven

18. Therefore, Instagram leads to constant
comparison! (looks, possessions, lifestyle)
(4 & 10)
Photo: Pexels by Unslpash

19. The obsession to look like fit Instragram role-
models may lead to body dysmorphia
(9)
Photo: Pexels by pixabay

20. The pressure to look
like Instargram role
models may also create
stress, anxiety, and
depression
(2 & 4)
Photo: Pexels by Tookapic

21. One may suggest the
solutions is quitting
social media, but
even jobs look into
digital participation
(9)
Photo: Pexels by Unslpash

22. There is a difference
between
real life
& the dream life
we post about (9)
Photo: Pexels by Skitterphoto

23. a) Do not only follow 'perfect' accounts
b) Take social media breaks
c) be educated on the art of editing
Solutions:
(10)
Photo: Pexels by picjumbo.com

24. Citations:
1. Gulati, D. (2014, August 07). Our Dangerous Obsession with External Recognition. Retrieved May 30, 2017,
from https://hbr.org/2013/12/our-dangerous-obsession-with-external-recognition
2. Anderssen, E. (2014, Mar 29). CRUSHED. The Globe and Mail Retrieved from https://search-proquest-
com.proxy.queensu.ca/docview/1511086003?accountid=6180
3. Amedie, J. (2015, March 09). The Impact of Social Media on Society. Retrieved May 30, 2017, from
http://scholarcommons.scu.edu/engl_176/2/
4. Garam, J. (2011, September 26). Social Media Makes Me Feel Bad About Myself. Retrieved May 30, 2017,
from https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/progress-not-perfection/201109/social-media-makes-me-feel-bad-
about-myself
5. Paul, P. (2013, May 5). Cyberparenting and the Risk of T.M.I. New York Times, p. 8(L). Retrieved from
http://go.galegroup.com.proxy.queensu.ca/ps/i.do?
p=AONE&sw=w&u=queensulaw&v=2.1&it=r&id=GALE%7CA328694536&asid=ed444bf722dd554a00a728a96a4
737f2
6. Konnikova, M. (2013, September 10). How Facebook Makes us Unhappy. Retrieved May 30, 2017, from
http://www.newyorker.com.proxy.queensu.ca/tech/elements/how-facebook-makes-us-unhappy
7. Matrix, S (2017, May 30). Module 02 Slides (Powerpoint). Retrieved from Lecture Notes on OnQ.
8. Woollaston, V. (2013, July 24). Never mind Facebook bragging, INSTAGRAM is the most depressing social
network due to the smug photos we post. Retrieved May 30, 2017, from
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2376016/INSTAGRAM-depressing-social-network-smug-photos-
post.html
9. Fleming, O. (2015, January 06). 'Why Don't I Look Like Her?': How Instagram Is Ruining Our Self Esteem.
Retrieved May 30, 2017, from http://www.elle.com/beauty/tips/a2531/how-instagram-is-ruining-our-self-esteem/
10. Why Instagram Makes You Hate Yourself. (2015, December 07). Retrieved May 30, 2017, from
http://www.menshealth.com/guy-wisdom/instagram-self-esteem