By Dr. Stuart Koman and Robert J. Keane
Last month, the Wall Street Journal reported that Facebook Inc.’s own internal research determined that the addictive nature of its Instagram app can send teens spiraling toward eating disorders, an unhealthy sense of their own bodies, and depression.
The research, leaked by Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen, indicated 32% of teen girls said that when they felt bad about their bodies, Instagram made them feel worse.” Further, Instagram’s engagement-based rankings can lead young people from very innocuous topics, like “healthy recipes,” to anorexia-promoting content over a very short period of time. This consumption of eating-disorder content among young girls fuels depression and unfortunately makes them use the app even more.
