Instagram and Depression

Research and user surveys suggest that Instagram use can lead to depression.  When surveyed, young people believe social media use harms their mental health and some even consider social media platforms to be a greater threat than drugs or alcohol.  Several studies support the link between Instagram and depression. 

For example: 

• Internal researchers for Meta, which owns Instagram, said the platform can pressure teens to live up to unrealistic body image standards. This could further lead to depression, eating disorders, loneliness and body dysmorphia.  
• A 2019 study of American children found those who used social media for three hours or more per day were likely to suffer from mental health problems. These problems include anxiety and depression. The study surveyed more than 6,500 children ages 12 – 15.  
• Emergency room visits for mental health-related conditions for children rose 8% yearly from 2015 to 2020.  
• Suicide rates in the U.S. for those aged 10 – 24 increased by 57% from 2007 to 2019.  
• Teens and young adults who spend the most time on social media sites, including Instagram, report higher levels of depression. 

Meta’s designers and product developers used design techniques common in the tobacco and gaming industries. These strategies help to manipulate Instagram’s users into spending an increasing amount of time on the platform.  They want users to continue scrolling in a reflexive and hypnotic manner in search of “rewards” that trigger a dopamine response, like playing a slot machine, plaintiffs allege. Social media users never know when they’ll be rewarded, so they enter a “flow state” based on the platform’s addictive features. 
This design may lead some users to experience the following phenomena: 

• Decreased social interaction: For younger users, seeking likes and shares can replace in-person relationships. It also can reduce time spent on creative play, sports and other real-life interactions.  
• Increased screen time: Social media designers develop features that encourage users to endlessly scroll. In addition, “intermittent variable rewards,” such as likes and comments, release dopamine in the brain. This chemical makes users feel happy, motivated and satisfied. Frequent notifications about responses and new content further encourage users to check the app.  It also preys on the fear of missing out (FOMO).
• Social comparison: Adolescents often seek validation by comparing themselves to others. Instagram and similar platforms knowingly exploit that desire. Social media platform developers also know that hiding likes would decrease the drive to compare, but it would also reduce revenue because users would click advertisements less often.  

Instagram’s emphasis on photos can harm self-esteem 

Instagram’s design encourages users to share photos. According to a 2019 study of American children ages 12 – 14, Instagram poses a risk for children because it linked users’ dissatisfaction with their bodies to how often they used social media and posted selfies.  The study also found that 32% of teenage girls from the U.S. and U.K. reported that Instagram worsened negative feelings about their bodies. Low self-esteem can be a serious concern for developing minds. 

Meta’s internal research shows they are aware of Instagram’s link to depression, low self-esteem and other mental well-being issues. 
Here are a few quotes from Meta employees acknowledging the effects of social media on children:

• “I worry that driving sessions incentivize us to make our product more addictive, without providing much more value. How to keep someone returning over and over to the same behavior each day? Intermittent rewards are most effective (think slot machines), reinforcing behaviors that become especially hard to distinguish — even when they provide little reward or cease providing reward at all.”
• “In the focus groups, teens told us that they don’t like the amount of time they spend on the app but feel like they have to be present. They often feel ‘addicted’ and know that what they’re seeing is bad for their mental health but feel unable to stop themselves.”  
• “No one wakes up thinking they want to maximize the number of times they open Instagram that day. But that’s exactly what our product teams are trying to do.” 

Why can Instagram be harmful for kids?

Adults may have the emotional maturity, impulse control and psychological resilience to avoid the mental health risks linked to social media. Because children’s brains are not fully developed, they are more susceptible to these risks. 

As stated above, Meta knows their products can impact their users’ mental health, especially among younger age groups. Yet, the company developed features that plaintiffs allege were intended to target younger users and trigger the release of dopamine in their developing brains.  

According to the U.S. Surgeon General, companies like Meta employ some of the most skilled child psychologists and early childhood specialists to assist in the development of these addictive features. Children, armed with only willpower and parental oversight, are at a severe disadvantage in what U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has said is “not a fair fight."

How Instagram depression impacts schools

Schools are often the first resource for children who need help recognizing and overcoming mental health issues. Social media use has increased students’ demand for mental health services, straining school resources.  Less than half of public school leaders polled believe they have the resources to meet students’ mental health needs.

Typical school mental health services include: 

• Case management
• Individual counseling
• Referrals for off-campus counseling

The shortfall in school resources – especially funding – forces administrators to divert money from teaching to mental health treatment.  Decreases in federal funding may worsen the problem. Many school districts rely on federal funds to hire counselors, psychologists and social workers or to contract with off-campus resources.

How Instagram depression impacts students

Struggling with depression or other mental health problems can harm their academic performance. For example, students with depression might have difficulty with: 

• Concentration
• Dependability
• Energy levels
• Optimism

A 2022 study of 1,085 underserved children ages 8 – 11 connects depression to lower academic achievement. Researchers noted that depression was “significantly negatively related” to math and spelling scores.

Teachers may also need more training to recognize signs of depression linked to academic performance, which could impact school district resources. However, the extra expenses could lead to improved academic achievement.

School districts and other local government agencies are suing Meta for failing to protect students from features the tech giant knew were potentially harmful. Motley Rice represents government agencies that have filed lawsuits against Instagram. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises parents to watch their children for key behaviors related to depression. These include:

• Changes in eating or sleeping habits
• Difficulty concentrating
• Fatigue
• Not enjoying their usual activities
• Sadness, irritability and hopelessness
• Self-injury or self-destructive behavior

These symptoms are not necessarily specific to depression related to Instagram, but they indicate that a child may be depressed. They can also be signs of withdrawal from the dopamine produced when using social media platforms like Instagram. 

You can also watch for signs of other negative mental health effects related to Instagram, including:

• Concealing Instagram use
• Feeling anxious about being away from the Instagram app
• Making comparisons to others
• Taking risks to create content

Other experts recommend watching for signs of isolation, cyberbullying and excessive social media use. 

If you notice these behaviors, speak with your child. If you need more help, contact your healthcare provider about evaluating your child. 

If your child has shown any signs of suicide ideation, you can get confidential support 24/7 by dialing 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. You can also visit 988lifeline.org. 

Here are a few questions people often ask about Instagram’s connection to depression.

Why is Instagram making people depressed?

Excessive social media use can lead to addiction. Studies show social media addiction can lead to mental health harms like depression. This may happen when social media use replaces meaningful, real-life relationships. Seeking validation through these platforms may cause users to compare themselves to others. Additionally, developers exploit users’ fear of missing out (FOMO). All these factors can lead to depression.

What are the effects of Instagram on self-esteem?

Lowered self-esteem is a potential effect of using Instagram. The platform’s emphasis on sharing visuals—especially selfies—can lead to feelings of inadequacy. Research shows that teenage girls are especially prone to feeling worse about themselves after using Instagram. 

Is quitting Instagram good for mental health?

Quitting Instagram might lead to mental health benefits. Some experts believe it’s a great way to reclaim time to enjoy enriching activities like exercise. Quitting the platform can also insulate you from the app’s toxic and addictive effects.

But, quitting Instagram is not a substitute for seeking actual mental health care. If you are worried about your own mental health, or the health of someone you love, please reach out to mental health professionals for evaluation and treatment.

Motley Rice attorneys have decades of experience fighting for families and we are working to hold tech companies responsible for their actions. Read more about our experience with social media lawsuits and how we can help.