If Instagram is so evil, why can't I do something about it?
I’ve been thinking a lot about the power social media has over me, particularly Instagram. I’ve been aware of this for years, yet despite knowing the harm or the long-term issues it can cause, I’ve chosen to keep using it. Why? The answer is simple: I like it, and sometimes I even find it fascinating—though these are just lies I tell myself every day to avoid admitting that I have an addiction.
The biggest problem with Instagram is that it’s a place where our brains can now get every kind of pleasure fix—whether it’s human connection with people we care about in real life, unlimited entertainment, an endless (albeit questionable) source of knowledge, or an impressive amount of soft porn. On Instagram, we can satisfy the need to socialize, to learn, to boost our egos, and even to indulge primitive impulses. I know this isn’t a coincidence—it’s designed to be addictive, preying on our instincts—but what shocks me is how much it has changed in such a short time. It started as a socially centered tool and became a mass-control weapon, one that hundreds of people make a living from. I find it sickening how much we can get with so little effort, practically at any moment.
But I’m not here to tell anyone how to use it or what’s right or wrong. I’m not a pamphlet. Everyone uses it however they want, and everyone knows why they use it. The stay-at-home mom saves recipes to try later (or never), and the teenage boy sends reels to his friends and follows his favorite models for when he has time to be alone with himself. But… do you notice how it has a use for everyone, no matter who you are? And most importantly, how solitary that use is?
At first, I liked Instagram for its editing tools—I enjoy photography, and having a virtual gallery to showcase my pictures was interesting. That was its original purpose. Then came the social aspect as its main feature, and I stopped using it. Later, it exploded in popularity, and all kinds of businesses, publications, and artists created accounts. That’s when I started following art-related content, and thanks to the “save” option, I began using it as my private Tumblr. Then came stories, and everything went downhill again. Now, with reels, I’m back to using it every day. The difference is that I no longer enjoy using it—it’s just a horrible habit I can’t break. And yeah, it’s fun, and I like it, but the amount of time and energy it drains from my day is undeniable.
Here’s the weird part: I’m fully aware of the harm, yet I can’t stop. I’m addicted. Like any good drug, I started consuming it until it ended up consuming me. Inside Instagram, there’s an infinite amount of content warning about how bad Instagram is and why I should quit. I don’t know if this is ironic or if the platform has become a satire of itself.
The solution is within reach—I can close my account whenever I want. But I feel a strong FOMO, and mind you, I’m not someone who fears missing out on social events. This is different, and I struggle to explain it. I also believe this app has contributed a lot to my isolation. Sometimes, I feel like Instagram tricks me into feeling socially satisfied just by watching my friends’ stories. As if I had been with them on their weekend outings when, in reality, I was just lying on the couch, phone in hand. I suspect this has led me to cancel more than a few plans in the past few years.
I know it’s inevitable—I’ll be leaving this app del demonio sooner rather than later. But maybe first, I need to figure out what void it’s filling in my life, so I can replace it with something truly meaningful.
🌳 You need to go outside and take in some nature. Thanks for reading!