Instagram, Anxiety & Digital Self Harm: Helping Teens Navigate Social Media

 Last week The Wall Street Journal  reported last week,  Facebook’s own internal research found its Instagram app is harmful to a number of teenagers, particularly teenage girls.  These are studies conducted over the last three years.

“Thirty-two percent of teen girls said that when they felt bad about their bodies, Instagram made them feel worse,” the researchers reportedly wrote. Facebook also reportedly found that 14% of boys in the U.S. said Instagram made them feel worse about themselves. So, equal opportunity.

According to the report, researchers warned Instagram’s Explore page, which serves users curated posts from a wide range of accounts, can push users into content that can be harmful. The app also has a culture of posting only the best pictures and moments, and it operates as an addictive product.

“Aspects of Instagram exacerbate each other to create a perfect storm,” the research said, according to the Journal.

Since more than 40% of Instagram’s users are 22 years old and younger, we thought it was time to bring in a counselor who works with teens and tweens for a reality check.  Enter Jon Mattleman from Minding Your Mind.

Jon is a certified trainer in QPR Suicide Prevention and has worked with schools and state organizations, as well as with hundreds of parents regarding self-harm and suicide prevention.  He presents his talk “The Secret Life of a Massachusetts Teen and Tweens” to thousands of parents in all over New England. 

Jon has appeared on numerous radio and television shows lending his expertise on anxiety, depression, suicide, teens, and parenting. 

 Jon’s workshops and presentations are geared to give participants proven tools and strategies that children and youth can use: approaches which have proven to be critical to building healthy relationships.

Jon frequently consults with schools, parent groups, mental health organizations, and in workplace settings regarding the issues of anxiety, stress, depression, suicide, parenting, and the emotional consequences of technology.  

Jon Mattleman graduated with B.A. from Clark University, and MS in Counseling from the University of Hartford in 1981.

Jon and his wife Wendy, have two grown children, and live in Belmont. He has been a finalist in Mass Mouth spoken word slams.  More at
www.Jonmattleman.com
Twitter: @Jonmattleman