Blog #7 – Reflection: What I Learned from My Inquiry on Instagram and Teen Mental Health
Over the course of this inquiry project, I explored the question: How does Instagram influence teenagers’ mental health? Through research, reflection, and personal experience, I discovered more about the connection between social media and mental health. This final blog post is a time to step back and look at what we went through.
a. What challenges did you overcome throughout this inquiry project? How did you go about overcoming these challenges?
Perhaps the biggest challenge that I faced was sorting through all the content online. With there being so much out there on Instagram and mental health, it was hard to tell what sources were reliable and what were opinions or clickbait. To overcome this, I tried sticking to reliable sources like the American Psychological Association, peer-reviewed articles, and established news outlets like the Wall Street Journal. The other issue was fighting off distractions. Since I’m on social media every day, it was easy to get distracted while doing research. I had to schedule specific hours to work on my project and cut down on my own screen time in a bid to stay focused.
b. How did this inquiry change the way you think?
This question really opened my eyes to what I consider when I think about Instagram. Before, I used to look at it almost like a kind of recreational way to share images and keep up with others. Now I know how much control it has to influence people’s perceptions of themselves, especially teens. I used to scroll randomly before, but now I find myself pausing when I catch myself comparing my life to another. I have discovered that what we view on the internet is often a created reality, and having that awareness is a move in the right direction in protecting our mental health.
c. How did this investigation impact your future decisions?
Because of this project, I’ve become more aware of my use of Instagram. I’ve turned off some of its notifications, unfollowed individuals who make me despise myself, and distance myself from the app more often. In the future, I’ll continue to make mindful choices about my use of social media. I will also ponder more intensely on why platforms are structured as they are and how they affect people—not what they show, but why they show it. These small decisions can certainly add up over time.
d. What impact will this investigation have on others locally and/or globally?
At home, I think that this research would help to make other teenagers at my school more aware of how Instagram is affecting them. Everyone uses it daily without thinking about the effect it has on their mood or self-esteem. Through what I have learned, I hope others will be encouraged to consider their use of social media. Internationally, the more of this type of research there is available being discussed and shared, the greater hope for change—not just how individuals are using Instagram, but how companies build their platforms. The more awareness we raise, the better we can promote more transparency, better mental health care, and a healthier online environment as a whole.
