Instagram is a great social media platform for connecting, posting, and discovering new things. While scrolling on Instagram, we may come across some posts which allow you to glare at them for a while and feel incomplete. So, it’s crucial to debate on Instagram vs reality to put you aside from mental distress.
Moreover, as kids are making the most use of Instagram, so they may develop high expectations regarding beauty and forget the real meaning of life. Well! Dont worry! The main aim of this writing is to provide you with methods on how to safeguard your children from the pressures of living up to false standards while accepting themselves the way they truly are. So, stay tuned with us!
What does Instagram vs Reality mean?
Instagram vs Reality term actually raises a question: does Instagram content has any connection with reality. Well! Keep in mind that most of the people share an edited picture where the lightning is perfect, and filters used. You know even dozens of pictures were taken just for one enhanced and aesthetically captured snapshot. But when it comes before you it seems like an impossible dream to accomplish.
Keep in mind that what posts on Instagram is contrary to what reality is and to put it mildly, is a whole different world altogether. Right? That’s why there seems to be an increase in people posting Instagram vs reality posts showing both sides to comprehend.
The next time you log on to Instagram, you can sit back, smile, and remind yourself that reality holds far more entertainment and excitement!
Use parental control apps to see your kids’ media activity
5 examples of Instagram vs Reality
In this section, I’m going to share with you some great examples of Instagram vs Reality. So you grasp how much editing tends to happen when using social media platforms! Okay!
Example#1: Perfect food photos
You might come across food lovers posting pictures of pancakes that seem to be straight out of fancy hotels. Well! They appear to be orderly stacked one over the other, syrup elegantly oozing on the sides, and perhaps even some fruits garnishing the top.
But the truth is, pancakes took forever to arrange and they get cold and soggy by the time the pictures are taken.
Example#2: Beach photos
On Instagram, you might see a calm, beautiful beach with someone lounging in peace. But if you were really there, there would probably be a crowded beach, people yelling, and sand sticking to everything. You know how tricky it is to keep sand off your snacks!
Example#3: Selfies
It’s most probable to see perfect selfies with their flattering lighting, smooth skin, and shiny hair. You might take it as an effortless task. The truth, however, is that a finer touch was needed like the addition of filters. In fact, 20 pictures were taken before capturing the ‘right one’.
So, keep in mind that it is not normal to get the right selfie at the first attempt. So chill out, if your first picture does not look pleasing.
Example#4: Fitness pics
Most of the people share the gym workouts or yoga poses on Instagram which have really taken a new turn. What you do not see is the struggle, like having to fall out of poses, taking long breaks or getting tired after a few minutes. There is nothing wrong with not looking like that. Accept the fact that you indeed are great.
Example#5: Travel photos
Have you ever come across a person who uploaded vacation pictures with a lovely sunset? Well! They forget to tell you about the long lines in the airport, the stuffing in tourist places, or how exhausted someone might be after walking the whole day. Instagram life makes everything seem so good, but the reality is not as easy.
In a nutshell, I must say that these examples help you see that Instagram captures many special moments, but, there’s more to life than these highlights. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, but it sure is more intriguing!
Why is “Instagram vs Reality” so different?
Have you ever come across a photo on Instagram and ended up wondering; wow their life is so good and perfect! However, when you look around your own life, you become dismayed and wonder why it is so different. Well! There are a lot of things that make Instagram posts really different from real life. Let’s explore these reasons!
Photo editing software and filters
The easiest explanation for this question is that Instagrammers use photo editing software and set filters. With these apps, colors are brightened, skin is smoothed and even facial features are altered. A useful tool is one click amplifies the eyes, another makes the waist slim, and the last makes the setting more beautiful.
It’s not surprising that over 71% of Instagram users edit their pictures before uploading them on social media sites.
Pressure to maintain a perfect image
You know, for many people the likes and comments they receive tend to shape their self-image. It results in them creating an ideal version of themselves online. Have you noticed how others present their lives by sleeping on the finest beds, wearing the most stylish outfits, and visiting extravagant places? Probably, this is the pressure associated with social media that tends to make people portray only the “sought-after” sides of their lives.
Perfect pictures get the most likes
Have you noticed how the most likes are received by the more creative and polished pictures? It is because people have love for admiring any visually pleasing content. To illustrate, It is more likely you would hit the like button on dinner served in a fancy setting rather than a tidy plate of leftover meals. This need to gain more admiration and appreciation pushes people to great lengths to ensure their photos look appealing.
Comparison to everyone else
It is easy to get lost in perfect pictures you see every single time which may lead you to compare. “Why don’t I look like that?” “Why isn’t my life as exciting?” are common thoughts people face. But those images are of course modified not original.
Instagram shows the best parts, not reality
Well! Instagram is like a movie trailer – it purely focuses on the best parts. On the contrary, real life is the entire movie that includes sad and joyful moments, as well as everything else we dream of. Life as it is, doesn’t require some pictures to be filtered because it’s already gorgeous!
So, embrace yourself, you are good enough to sport the beautiful and chaotic version of your life!
The Impact of unrealistic Instagram on teens
Have you ever encountered an Instagram profile which gave you a feeling that their existence is perfect in every possible way? If so, there are others like you. Do remmebr! This thing is really hramful for teens. Let’s discuus the impacts of unrealistic Instagram content on teens lives!
1. Low self-esteem
The moment you run into images of your friends or influencers having a great time with skin care, fancy outfits, and taking vacations. You might catch yourself thinking you aren’t doing enough. However, research suggests that most of these capture are heavily edited. In fact, 88 per cent of teenagers feel bad whenever they compare their real selves to other people online.
2. Body image issues
On Instagram you will see pictures of making false beauty standards. As a result, several teenagers around the globe have figured out that it is essential to look different in order to fit in. Shocking, isn’t it? Well! 70% of adolescents feel judged due to what they see online. This will eventually culminate in strained behaviours such as dieting too much or exercising excessively.
3. Anxiety and depression
Using Instagram has the power to make you feel detached, or even inferior at certain moments. The thought, “Why is their life much more interesting than mine,” comes into play and does not ease the anxiety and sadness that accompany social media. Evidence from studies indicates that teens putting in more than three hours on these platforms become susceptible to mental health issues.
4. FOMO (Fear of missing out)
Instagram has the ability to cause jealousy. Let me ask you one question have you ever felt jealous about the existence of a trip or party that you didn’t get an invitation? If yes, then this is called FOMO and it is most commonly observed in teens. This feeling makes you focus on what you’re missing instead of enjoying what you have.
5. Unreal expectations
The imperfection of life isn’t that easy to snuff out of Instagram, it awaits there to entrap the user. Do not get yourself tricked, you are not alone in chasing meticulously arranged rooms, pristine marks, or high-end electronics because of social media. Accept everybody’s life lacks perfection even when it is hidden behind the screen.
This image creates a soft reminder. Treat Instagram content carefully, like the person in real life, it is not perfect. Love and embrace yourself, there is a need to achieve the image that social media projects.
Instagram vs Reality: What parents need to do
Keep in mind that it’s a social media era, and everyone including kids seems active on social media. So, they try to copy others on Instagram which greatly affects their own personality. As a parent, you have the ability to help them distinguish between what is real and what is virtual. Let’s see what steps you can take to make sage usage of Instagram!
Communicate openly about social media
Make sure to communicate freely with your child concerning what their Instagram activity involves. For instance, what photos they enjoy posting, who their following list contains, and the emotions associated with certain images or trends all need to be discussed. This assists you in knowing how they engage with social media.
Teach Kids about media literacy and image editing
It would be good to explain to your child that not all Instagrammed photos are authentic; a lot of them are filtered. Inform them that these pictures are manipulated by different applications, so they should not base their self-worth on such images.
Set healthy social media boundaries and screen time limits
You have to set boundaries concerning your child’s social media usage. Specialists recommend that kids below the age of 10 use screens for no more than one or two hours. Through establishing limits, it is possible to ascertain that your child does not spend all their time on Instagram and engages in other activities.
Help your child develop healthy attitudes and confidence
You should try to help your child develop an appropriate self-image. Make it a point to tell him/her to appreciate his/her own skills, gifts, and what he/she is best at instead of checking the Instagram profiles of other kids. When your child has adequate self-esteem, they will be less susceptible to self-worth issues created by beauty standards portrayed online.
Use Instagram’s parental controls and monitor activity
Do you want to monitor your kid’s Instagram usage? If yes, then there is good news for you. Instagram offers parental control settings enabling you to restrict and follow up on how your child uses their account on Instagram. Here’s a breakdown of what you can do:
How to set up parental controls on Instagram
Make account private:
Step 1. Open your child’s Instagram account. Click the three parallel horizontal lines located on the top right corner of the page.
Step 2. Then click on Settings > Privacy.
Step 3. After this, you have to make sure to turn on the Private Account setting. Your child’s posts and stories can only be seen by people who they allow to follow them.
Decide who can message them:
Step 1. Open Instagram > Settings > Privacy > Messages.
Step 2. After this start with a selection of Only People You Follow.
Restrict who can comment on posts:
Step 1. Open Instagram > Head to Settings > Privacy > Comments.
Step 2. You can choose who comments on your child’s posts – is it everyone, people they follow, or no one at all.
Pro Tip: Use of FlashGet Kids parental control app
If you want a 100% reliable source to manage your kid’s Instagram usage then FlashGet Kids is what you are searching for. The reason is that this parental control app offers you advanced features for monitoring kids’ online activities. For instance,
- You can see in real-time to whom your kids are chatting on Instagram and what kind of reels and posts he/she is watching.
- You can also get a detailed summary of your kid’s daily Instagram or other app usage. Thus, you can time take action to protect your kids from drasting effects
- It also allows you to limit screen time on specific apps like Instagram during sleeping or study time. Thus, you can ensure safe and healthy Instagram usage.
Conclusion
From all the above discussion, we have concluded that Instagram World is totally different from reality. By seeing different posts on Instagram, we may feel depressed about why we have not done this thing or why we’re not like him/her. Keep in mind that the content on Instagram is actually more filtered-based to attract your attention. So, just chill and don’t regret the things you don’t but enjoy what you have.
Moreover, as most teens are using Instagram, being parents guides them about Instagram vs reality. However, I would suggest you install FlashGet Kids to have full control of your kid’s digital activities.
