Instagram, or "The Gram," has grown popular across all demographics and generations. There was a time when it was simple. Take a photo then share it.
Today, Instagram is a far cry from its humble beginnings. Why? Because of "Likes."
Instagram is running a social media experiment in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Italy, Japan, Brazil, Ireland, and Canada. This experiment features a program that hides the number of likes on your post from other users. You can view the tally of the likes on your post, but your followers can't.
This change may affect the way social media "Influencers" communicate with their followers. It may also have a positive effect on many Instagram users. According to a study, Instagram is the most toxic social media platform. Toxic to mean that it has the most damaging effect on the mental health of users between the ages of 14-24. TIME reported (2017) that an association with the increasing levels of, depression, anxiety. It also has a significant association with bullying, and "The Fear of Missing Out."
It is a bold move on Instagram's part. How will the change affect the mental health of teens using the platform? Let's find out.
In every social structure, there is a hierarchy. A social pyramid that determines who's at the top or bottom. Our brains tend to analyze people and figure out where they belong in this hierarchy. We use physical cues to classify the people around us. We identify physique and associate it with physical strength. We see nice clothes, expensive lifestyles and associate it with wealth. As your brain classifies and groups people into this social hierarchy, it also tries to figure out where you belong. So if your brain identifies someone with an advantage over you, you get that sunken feeling. You tend to question your worth in society.
In your school, there is the top tier of the hierarchy. These are the popular kids, the quarterbacks, and cheerleaders. At the bottom of the pyramid are the kids who have a harder time making friends. In the middle of the pyramid is everyone else. These are the average kids like you and me. The same social hierarchy applies to social media. Our brains use the number of likes in each post and associate it with popularity. When you post a photo, and it doesn't earn as many likes, you get a sense of inadequacy.
There is a growing concern about the effect of social media on teen's self-esteem and mental health. Receiving a lot of likes is like earning a golden star in a quiz — a reward for your photography skills and creativity. While earning loads of likes makes us feel good, there is a dark side to this reward scheme.
The basic design of all social media platforms promotes self-comparison. When you log on to your Instagram, you will find people within your network who are more successful than you are. Your better-looking friends get more likes than you do. Posts of other people flaunting their wealth get numerous likes and recognition online. As a result, a young person like yourself may feel inadequate.
The Positives of Hiding Your Like Tally
Without a tally of likes, your approach and interaction with Instagram will change. You will no longer post photos on a hunt for likes. Instead, you will post pics because you feel that it is a moment worth sharing with your friends.
How About "Influencers?"
It would be hard for an influencer to sell his or her brand without showing the numbers. In the long run, this move by Instagram will prove beneficial.
It is no secret that the interest in Social Media Influencers is on a steady decline. The decline is partly due to the "Inflation of Likes" and fraudulent followings.
As a consequence, we have so many influencers. Adopting this new Instagram feature may thin out the influencer community leaving behind authentic brand ambassadors.
The Bottom Line
Instagram used to be a simple app with a simple logo and a pure vision; sharing pictures. Due to the value that we give it, we have turned it into a popularity contest. Users go out of their way to win likes.
Perhaps a "Back to Basics" approach is not a bad idea. You can go back to the days when you interact with fellow users on an authentic level. You do not have to take down a picture because it didn't win as many likes as you expected.
It may not be much, but this move could reduce anxiety and stress among Instagram users.
