Instagram

Instagram is a social media app that provides a virtual online scrapbook that can be shared with followers. This is a free social networking site that allows anyone over the age of thirteen to create an account. People often post positive messages and inspiring photos on their personal accounts. Its simple design and easy to photo editing program allows users to share their awesome pictures, lives, and interact online. However, this tool is very easy to create a fake account and identity online. This app is simple enough to maneuver that it becomes an easy target for hackers, predators, or stalkers. Overall, the app can influence good interaction between people, or place their security in danger. Instagram opens up a world of networking …show more content…
The United States government has chosen to get involved as well. “Instagram is the latest mobile and social media tool available to federal, state and local governments to better engage with the public” (Steele DigitalGov). Although politics are found commonly throughout social media, the government is getting directly involved in creating their own accounts. “Instagram can be used by federal agencies as part of an overall social and mobile strategy to ensure citizens can access valuable government content anywhere, anytime, on any device–including widespread access to photos and video content” (Steele DigitalGov). This concept increases interaction between people and their government in a social media tool that the younger population is comfortable with. This could prove to be a positive way to get citizens and young voters interested in politics and aware of current …show more content…
Christopher Arnell, a Social Media and Digital Strategist, has spoken out about the negative impacts Instagram has on young teenage girls. In an article on LinkedIn Arnell wrote, “For many teens their social media presence is a crucially important component of their image. With this comes a whole host of negativities whether it’s promoting negative body images, degrading real social relationships, or being used as an unhealthy source of validation” (Arnell LinkedIn). Everyone can see what is going on in other people’s lives and become jealous or discouraged because they are lacking in experiences, likes, followers, or attractiveness. Teens are faced with, “unrealistic expectations and ideals, which teen girls then feel obliged to conform to” (Arnell LinkedIn). While Arnell’s article focuses on teenage girls, negative body image and expectations affect the population as a whole. Social media in general are often held responsible for this