Gen Zers and Instagram
- @blurmag
- Mar 3, 2020
- 4 min read
Why are Gen Zers so obsessed with Instagram, how has it affected us in the decade it's been around and why does everyone on there own designer? Read on to hear our take on Instagram, and a few tips to turn your experience from negative to positive. Written by Rae, image by Opinion Stage.
Photo by Opinion Stage.
In the decade it's existed, Instagram has shifted our whole viewpoint on life. We strive to get the perfect photo, in the perfect location wearing the perfect outfit, we analyse the number of likes, comments and DMs...and don't even get us started on influencer culture.
When you utilise Instagram for its business ventures, business accounts and portfolios it can be quite a useful app; merging social networking with trying to post aesthetically pleasing and flattering photos, with the hope of your account blowing up and becoming an influencer - what could be wrong with this app?
From a more naive perspective, Instagram can be very lonely and isolating. As a young person finding influencers trying to sell you diet products at every possible stage, having your photos surrounded and compared to thousands of photoshopped versions of 2020 beauty and seeing every person ever owning Gucci bags and Louis Vuitton heels like they're nothing more than basic groceries it can be very confusing. Instagram has taken steps to prevent this experience, making paid promotions state 'ad' but this can still be very unclear, there are still masses of harmful products being sold to us without us realising, further perpetuating eating disorder culture and bad mental health overall.
We don't believe that the platform is the problem, we just need to be more aware and transparent when we remember the younger and more naive people entering the platform.
Are there ways to have a more positive experience on Instagram?
Of course, you can still post as much as you like, get the perfect outfit photo and even use hashtags, IGTVs and Instagram stories still, it's just about adapting what you're seeing.
1. Don't force yourself to follow influencers that are posting ads in every post, especially those with flat tummy tea and hair vitamins *sigh*, just because they're popular. Dazed told us that Instagram killed the 'it' girl, and they're kind of right; the influencer scene is so oversaturated, that finding unique and authentic accounts is harder now than ever. Instagram isn't just for influencers, use your explore page and hashtags to find accounts for things that interest you and make you happy, things you really want to see. We at Blur. love following fashion pages, fashion influencers, fashion magazines (and also dogs tehe), so have a go following things that make you smile or take your interest and don't be afraid to have a follower declutter.
2. Don't be naive to photoshop and don't compare yourself to others. Each time you compare your photos to photos on Instagram you're robbing yourself of the truth - it's fine to photoshop and facetune however, as a celebrity or influencer you have a moral responsibility to your young fans, and editing photos without being transparent about it is harmful. Angles and editing that are kept a secret are the starting point of unnecessary insecurities for others. We at Blur. promise that your body, skin or whatever you're self-conscious about is completely normal, people try to post the 'best version of themselves' online, but we bet if you saw them in real life you'd start identifying their hidden features and discover that they really just are another regular person with equally as valid insecurities.
3. No, not everybody is rich. You'd be surprised at the amount of fake, borrowed and rented bags featuring on Instagram. Designer products are seen as a status symbol, but many of those who make a point to flex are often being untruthful in some way. It's not a problem to buy a fake bag, or even rent a real one but again, the problem lies with the transparency with the audience; it's not normal to own one or bundles of designer gear, especially as a young person, and we can guarentee that a lot of Instagram users who like to be flashy are somehow being deceitful. Don't worry about what you don't have, as many more people than you know will be in the same boat as you, just work hard to afford these luxuries in the future and until then there are many ways to feel that sense of status - why not look up Bag Borrow Steal or Frontrow to rent a bag or outfit that's just as cute, easy on the bank and supports sustainability?
We know it's easy to get lost in the untruthful world of Instagram however, we hope to have busted some of the myths surrounding your feed. Watch out for the hidden ads from influencers, and when you're comparing yourself to others remember to gain some perspective - your photos, natural body and wardrobe are all valid and good enough and you never know what someone else is hiding. One last reminder is to be happy and content with all your social feeds and if you're not it's never too late to do some exploring for other accounts - surrounding yourself with things that make you truly happy are the first steps forward.
コメント