Introduction
The popularization of social media use among populations of different ages across the globe is one of the characteristics of technological advancement in the contemporary world. While this tendency has multiple benefits regarding human communication, interaction, and overall connectivity, the excessive use of social networking sites might lead to negative outcomes for individual users. Indeed, Instagram, one of the most popular software enabling online interpersonal communication, creates an unrealistic perspective of human lives, which is why their online interaction does not fully meet their socialization needs. This paper is designed to argue that Instagram promotes loneliness due to the increased comparison of oneself to others, diminished face-to-face interactions, and use of the application as a form of escapism. The proponents of such an argument might state that Instagram enhances opportunities for reducing loneliness in critical times. However, the minimization of Instagram use yields better results in combating loneliness than its intensive use. Therefore, this argumentative essay will address each outlined claim in-depth to illustrate that Instagram causes loneliness.
Comparison to Others
One of the core issues related to Instagram and its negative impact on human connectivity and quality interactions is its promotion of idealized images, which do not match reality. Loneliness might be defined via “one’s connectedness to others, or, more specifically, as the unpleasant experience that occurs when a person’s network of social relations is deficient in some important way” (Ponnusamy et al. 3). Lonely individuals are better communicators in an online setting than in live situations.
Indeed, researchers state that the algorithms of this software platform enable people to post improved pictures and create better versions of themselves and their lives for public presentation (Hunt and Young 752-753). The observation of the display of others’ experiences does not necessarily involve users’ interaction. Ponnusamy et al. state that users refer to Instagram “to search for information about other people, document their life, demonstrate to other members their ‘coolness’ and creativity, and share their interests with others (2). Thus, seeing others’ perfected images, users develop feelings of shyness, low self-esteem, and resulting loneliness due to their feeling of being different and isolated. Ultimately, when comparing themselves to others on Instagram, individuals are likely to be disengaged with the community of users, which promotes loneliness.
Diminished Face-to-Face Social Interactions
Another significant aspect of Instagram use that demonstrates this software’s facilitating impact on user loneliness is the lack of live face-to-face social interactions. Indeed, in the modern world, the use of social media networks in general, and Instagram in particular, has significantly substituted offline personal communication (Cauberghe et al. 255). The ease of use, connectivity on distance, and the ability to control the frequency and amount of communication make online interaction using Instagram a compelling tool for virtual socialization. However, online communication fails to meet the need for human interaction and a feeling of belonging to the group like physical face-to-face communication does. Indeed, Ponnusamy et al. indicate that Instagram addiction diminishes face-to-face communication quality and promotes loneliness and adverse psychological outcomes (2-3). Thus, the substitution of live communication for online interaction using Instagram exacerbates feelings of loneliness.
Instagram Use as an Escapism Strategy
In addition, the reasons to use Instagram, as well as other social networking sites, allow for identifying the contribution to loneliness. Indeed, one of the causes of using Instagram is the desire to escape from reality and become involved in an alternative reality created by a community of online users representing one’s interests and hobbies (Ponnusamy et al. 2). When escaping from reality into the idealized virtual setting where users are capable of controlling their exposure to interactions, they might find it easier to feel connected online. However, when engaging in interactions in real life might contrast with the reality where people lack interpersonal connections, which is why they want to escape into the illusion of being a part of a community. Moreover, experiences of failure to connect with others in face-to-face interactions might cause depression due to feelings of loneliness that contrast with the ease of being involved in communication online (Cauberghe et al. 251-252). Thus, escapism enabled by Instagram promotes loneliness and feelings of unhappiness in users.
Enhanced Communication
Like in the context of any controversial topic, the impact of Instagram on loneliness is addressed by opponents from the perspective of the software’s reduction of the feelings of isolation in users. Indeed, research findings provided by Cauberghe et al. suggest that some of the aspects of Instagram use minimize feelings of loneliness due to their contribution to feelings of belongingness (252). Indeed, “browsing and interacting on Instagram lower loneliness, while broadcasting (uploading content to a general public) increases loneliness” (Cauberghe et al. 252). From such a perspective, it seems reasonable that using social media for the purposes of sharing the content of one’s life and receiving feedback from others allows for minimizing social exclusion feelings. It is even more relevant in the context of social isolation, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, when online interactions were the only way to connect with the world (Cauberghe et al. 252). Thus, communication online, in general, might be considered as a positive impact on feelings of connectedness, which might be regarded as a counterargument to Instagram’s promotion of loneliness.
Positive Mental Health Outcomes of Instagram Use Decrease
Regardless of the reasonability of such a counterargument, one should appeal to evidence to refute the claim on the positive impact of enhanced communication for lonely people. Indeed, as found by Huns and Young, the limitation of Instagram use by 30 minutes a day allows for reaching less loneliness and better psychological well-being (755). In other words, if the shortage of social media use minimizes loneliness, one might infer that the excessive use of Instagram yields a greater feeling of loneliness and isolation. Moreover, to refute the counterargument, one might state that only communication online lowers loneliness, while broadcasting increases loneliness (Cauberghe et al. 252). Since it is highly unlikely that a user will resort to communication only and ignore the perception of others’ postings and share one’s content, it is implied that conventional Instagram use promotes loneliness.
Conclusion
To summarize this argumentative essay, Instagram promotes loneliness to a significant extent due to the self-promotion trends that cultivate limited face-to-face interaction, escapism, and comparison of oneself to others. Users prone to loneliness might be active online communicators but face challenges in face-to-face interactions in a physical, or social setting. Although opponents claim that communication using Instagram lowers loneliness, it is only supported by evidence related to messages exchange and not broadcasting, which is one of the most frequently used forms of online interaction. Therefore, Instagram promotes loneliness and diminishes human opportunities to combat depression, build meaningful relationships, and increase self-esteem. For that reason, it is important to prevent loneliness by reducing Instagram use on a regular basis.
Works Cited
Cauberghe, Verolien, et al. “How Adolescents Use Social Media to Cope with Feelings of Loneliness and Anxiety During COVID-19 Lockdown.” Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, vol. 24, no. 4, 2021, pp. 250-257.
Hunt, Melissa G. and Young, Jordyn. “No More FOMO: Limiting Social Media Decreases Loneliness and Depression.” Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, vol. 37, no. 10, 2018, pp. 751-768.
Ponnusamy, Saranya, et al. “Drivers and Outcomes of Instagram Addiction: Psychological Well-Being as Moderator.” Computers in Human Behavior, vol. 107, 2020, pp. 1-11.