Instagram is the worst social media app for young people’s mental health, according to a survey where participants were asked to rate different social media sites for their impact on personal health and well-being.
On Instagram, youths may compare themselves to friends by looking at photos of a certain body image or social life.
In fact, the Royal Society for Public Health says that social media sites, such as Instagram, may be the reason for a higher prevalence of mental health issues in today’s youth. Luckily, there are several ways to minimise mental health problems caused by social media:
- Track your social media use. Use apps like Checky and Moment to determine how much time you’re spending on your phone. Use this information to pinpoint apps that you are frequenting, then decrease the time spent on those apps
- Remove notification settings. Avoid the tendency to look at your phone every time a new notification arrives by turning off notifications from social media sites
- Ignore your phone in social settings. Fully focus on the friends or family in front of you by silencing or turning off your phone in social settings. Only use your phone when you absolutely have to make a call or text