How long do you spend on Instagram? Be honest, because scrolling for longer than 30 minutes is all it takes to become obsessed – and not in a cute way.
New research from Macquarie University and the University of New South Wales warns us against spending too much time on the popular social media app, as it’s making us fixate negatively on our bodies and appearance.
The study, which analyzed a survey from 350 Australian and American women ages 18-25, concluded that those who spend more than 30 minutes on Instagram are more likely to value their body for its appearance rather than its health and physical functions.
Unfortunately, ‘fitspiration’ and our #WCW’s like Kendall Jenner and Karlie Kloss, were pointed out as one of the key Insta-genres that made women feel unhappy about their own bodies and more likely to ‘self-objectify’ themselves.
Over the past year, a lot of research on Instagram has come out. The Royal Society for Publish Health (RSPH), for example, found that Instagram was the most damaging social network for mental health with Snapchat following a close second. The study exposed its negative association with our deteriorating body image and anxiety.
Shirley Cramer, chief executive of the RSPH, said: “Social media has been described as more addictive than cigarettes and alcohol.”
We know that we’d rather scroll than smoke, but if it’s having a detrimental effect on our health, how can we clean up our act?
The health experts would probably tell you to spend more time without your phone in front of your face, but we know that in this day and age, that’s not always viable.
Another option is to ensure you’re following the right kind of accounts. Aspiring to people can be healthy, however, your feed could probably do with a reality check.
Here are some awesome, down to earth accounts that will remind you that you ARE enough, just the way you are.
