Reasons Why Instagram Is Overrated

[SirenDep]

1. Violation of privacy

If you aren't using instagram to promote your business, you don't need a public profile but one visible to friends only. Models, celebrities, painters, photographers, producers, use it to promote their work . Though, why would an average person want every stranger viewing their private life? Thieves can see where you live, and when you're away in vacation, to enter your house. Children can be detected by malicious people through their location tags.

2. The same as Facebook

If you only add to instagram people you know, it's essentially the same as facebook. So it's worth it if you don't have a facebook, otherwise why bother? To waste your time?

3. A waste of time

Instagram is addictive like most other social media websites. This can soak up hours of your day, leaving you unproductive. You have to check instagram everyday to see if someone liked your photos and if you have new friend request. You scroll down aimlessly to like photos and you search celebrities' profiles for gossip. You take photos for instagram, which means you have to pick the correct outfit and hair and makeup, find a nice place to take a photo, have someone to be your photographer, then play with photoshop and filters. Or that you miss an event because you are taking photos and videos all the time. What is the point though? You're wasting precious time where you could do so many things.

4. It affects mental health

Instagram is the worst social media network for mental health and wellbeing, according to a recent survey of almost 1,500 teens and young adults. While the photo-based platform got points for self-expression and self-identity, it was also associated with high levels of anxiety, depression, bullying and FOMO, or the “fear of missing out.”

When you see all the models with the perfect body, the cool kids with tattoos and piercings, the people who go on vacation all the time, those who always do cool projects, whose house is uncluttered and expensive and whose life is organized, you feel like your life is nothing compared to theirs. You don't really know them, so you only see their best side. It makes you feel left out, depressed and anxious. Those perfect bodies, most often than not photoshopped, promote a distorted body image, and eating disorders. It also disturbs your sleep because you check instagram before you sleep, and the harsh white light of your mobile phone screen makes it difficult to sleep.

Additional reading:

1. Instagram ranks as the worst for mental health

http://time.com/4793331/instagram-social-media-mental-health/

2. Top Pros and Cons of Using the Photo Sharing App Instagram

http://resources.uknowkids.com/blog/top-pros-and-cons-of-using-instagram

The question that inspired me:

https://www.girlsaskguys.com/girls-behavior/q3094444-girls-are-instagram-models-inspiring-to-you-or-do-make-you-feel

[Kkaos]

The big thing about number 1 is that many people with public instagrams want to be a celebrity. They're trying to promote themselves. Especially girls, I can't count how many girls I see who are trying to walk in the footsteps of these bang average albeit 'instafamous' so called 'models'.

Half the girls I match with on Tinder are just trying to promote their instagrams. They think because I swiped right on them, I must find them attractive and hence I'm going to follow them on instagram and then they can get get an ego boost from staring at their follower count.

[SirenDep]

Dating apps are full of deceit, a waste of time as well

[Kkaos]

Yeah, it depends what you want out of them I guess.

[CHARismatic110]

Not everyone that uses Instagram gives AF about being an "Instagram" model. I use Instagram because I like art and pictures and funny videos. I also use it as motivation for weight loss and fitness. Its not the same as Facebook because it's literally just pictures and videos. You're not updating statuses every second. Social media in general is a waste. If you're gonna say one you might as well list them all.

[SirenDep]

Yes I can see what you mean. For pictures I use pinterest and for weight loss motivation youtube. But I can't focus on seeing only what I wanted to see in the first place, so I end up wasting time. I don't bother to update my status in facebook every day.

[lumos]

I can kinda see your point but I also kinda disagree. This really only applies to the people who get so sucked into it that they sort of get detached from reality, and their lives start revolving around what they post.
Numer 1 is only applicable if you're not using common sense. Like you don't have to use geo tags to reveal where you live or where you are at all times, nor do you have to post photos in real time. I. e. you could enjoy your vacation and snap a few pics here and there, but only edit and upload them when you've gotten back home and have the time. That way nobody will be able to figure out where you live, or know when to break in, because you're not posting your pics in real time or adding revealing tags.
As for point number two, despite the fact that Instagram is owned by Facebook and they're similar in some ways, I wouldn't say Instagram is completely irrelevant. I'm seeing less and less people post on Facebook nowadays. Instagram is better in that sense because it's a lot more active. People won't feel bad about posting pics on Instagram a few times a week because that's the point, but if they did it on Facebook, people would find it annoying and spam-y.
As for point number three, most of the things we do in our spare time are a waste of time really. Watching movies is a waste of time. Being online is a waste of time. But why is that such a bad thing? It's relaxing, and for some people it's genuinely fun to edit pictures and manage their feeds. I wouldn't want to take that away from them unless it becomes an obsession.
Number 4 is the one I agree most strongly with because obviously it has a lot of stats that back it up. But again, this really only applies to the people who spend an excessive amount of time on Instagram, are too young to know better (as in understand that most pics are edited and filtered like 10x through at least five apps) and are probably kind of insecure to begin with. Most of my friends are pretty active on Instagram but none of them are obsessed. They all have a very chill view on it. A lot of them are photographers, so taking and editing photos are already their passion.
So to sum it up, yes you made some decent points, but none of these make a whole lot of sense when talking about the average chill user who has some common sense.

[Pamina]

1. That's generally a problem with all social media.

2. Not really. There's far more things you can do on Facebook than you can do on Instagram. Instagram is very minimalistic.

3. That's rathe subjective and also entirely depends on how much time you spend on it. If you spend too much time on Instagram, that's your own fault, not Instagram's.

4. These are serious problems, but again, it all depends on how you use it. These are not inherent problems of Instagram. Anything is bad if you over-/mis-/abuse it.

[Lilyanony]

I'm in a mental space where I don't let those things bother me.

Yes I check my phone at night but that's because I wake up at night.
At the same tie every night.

Perhaps it's because I don't have any friends, so I don't have any reason to conform.
You might think oh how sad but I don't. Yea I miss not doing things with people but so what, that's what families for.

As for instagram models they suffer worse than than we do, only perk is they get paid to endure that...
Their lifestyle could be taken away in an instant. Their life depends upon you following and liking them, remember that you're actually in the drivers seat.

[mermaidrocketship]

Instagram's one of my favorites, and I'm someone who deleted their facebook acct for a couple of years. I'm private on there, so I feel comfortable posting silly pet pics and food pics. And I have a good mix of real friends, celebs, and meme accts on my feed so there's not much FOMO. 90% of my instagram time is looking through new memes and the yodeling kid, so I don't feel like it's hurting me.

[SirenDep]

Yes I can see that. I see no reason to have muliple social media accounts if all your friends are gathered in one.

[mermaidrocketship]

Makes sense. I like twitter b/c I can share thoughts with (virtually) the world. Facebook is for stalking people. And instagram is just b/c I wanted to be a good millennial and post artsy pics. Lol.

[ManOnFire]

This is a good post. Although I do have Instagram I never even use it anymore and only follow certain people. I look at their new photos but that's about it. Though with No.3 I feel like that's the case with most social media.

I think both Instagram and Snapchat are unsatisfactory, but I think Snapchat is more trash. How ridiculous to post video moments in vine form, and you can't even go back and watch them anymore!

[SirenDep]

Snapchat is more private, which works well for teenagers who don't want others to supervise them. www.huffingtonpost.com/.../why-snapchat-is-so-much-more-popular-among-youth-than_us_5a01273de4b05c8418166592

[InTimoreDei]

I hate instagram and all the fake "models" on there. And you're right, we're only seeing the side they want us to see. Who knows what goes on behind closed doors. It isn't worth it to get depressed over their fake lifestyles. I deleted my account a long time ago and I am glad I did.

[SirenDep]

Sometimes I get jealous of the photos my friends post.. And I know about their lives more or less.. It has a bigger impact when it's strangers who seem to have it all

[findingdreamland-1]

At first i loved using it. It is like online way of preserving photos. But now it is like everyone is showing off. How happy they are. How rich they are. How big family they have. How fun they have etc.
It became very boring and very dangerous. I do agree. It is not good for mental health.
Nothing you see on instagram is true. Everything you see is either filtered or photoshopped.. Many people are faking but yeah they seem happy. Fake happiness.

[TadCurious]

What's fascinating to me is that the typical girl who posts her pics on Instagram has become a "type." She's become the "Insta model" type, and for the most part that type is NOT my type.

[InTimoreDei]

They're among the most revolting "types".

[SirenDep]

@InTimoreDei They are not ugly, but they look the same, like clones

[Other_Tommy_Wiseau]

the last 1 is basically why i quit social media altogether. i still have a facebook and snapchat, but i don't ever go on them except to look up nba and nfl memes... and even that has to be limited cause you get the same stupid 8 year olds bitching about the warriors/cavs or stupid kaepernick talk that have nothing to do with the goddamn memes. and just like pure internet fashion, the top comments are always butthurt pussies and copypasta. shit gets real old real quick

[watisgoingon]

that's true. all of it. any social network is actually garbage we don't need in our lives. its ridiculous how fast it became almost essential part our lives tho and it is disgusting.

[SirenDep]

I think of deleting facebook, but then how will I know what's going on with my friends? Or learn about events?

[watisgoingon]

that will force you to socialize more and talk to actual people. I mean, how did people live without facebook before?

[Pink2000]

You have the option of making it private. I don’t agree.

[SirenDep]

Of course. But a private account isn't the same in instagram and in facebook?

[Pink2000]

Nope

[Pink2000]

On instagram you can’t see anything except a profile pic. It’s way more private than Facebook.

[yellowmamba024]

People absolutely need to get off of Instagram. It's a way to try to prove people how happy they are. Also, that DM stuff is pretty immature and desperate way to try to contact someone.

[Liisjak]

Instagram is a good place for stupid people to gather around and like each other's selfies.

[SirenDep]

Yes, unless one has something of value to showcase, like paintings

[Melodie_Flowers]

Interesting read.
I personally do not have an instagram account, I never made one.
Posting pics and sharing my life online just isn't my thing

[Anonymous]

IG, FB, GAG, Snaphshot, Twitter, Linkedin are all overrated. FB is the only one truly useful.

[SirenDep]

I agree about facebook. But only on GAG I can write articles and pose questions and have people actually read them and respond, not just empty likes

[Dreamgrove]

I use Instagram to get inspiration for art or photography. Also I love following pages about hiking and traveling. Plus, great memes if you're into that. I never follow models though. Instagram "comedy" sucks ass, by the way.

[Anonymous]

I only use instagram for food videos and awesome recipes lmao XD I don't really give a fuck about those Instagram models.

[veronicalynn]

I love my Instagram account. I don't care if no one sees them.. I enjoy taking pictures and it's a suitable location for me to at least or them

[BeHappy1985]

For me it was never well enough "rated" to even open up an account.

[SirenDep]

I opened one and got bored in a week, so I closed it

[ryancg]

Yeah, I don't really give a damn about all that shit, I just don't use Instagram simply because I don't want to.