INSTAGRAM VS REALITY: INFLUENCE OF INSTAGRAM ON DEPRESSION AMONG ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS - A LITERATURE REVIEW

Oliwia Gugała; Kamil Nowak; Alicja Stryczek-Schlusche; Hanna Paszkiewicz; Patryk Kowalczyk; Bartłomiej Trzciński; Igor Winogrodzki; Aleksandra Magdalena Furczyńska; Filip Bracichowicz; Aleksandra Gęsińska; Wiktoria Socha

doi:10.31435/ijitss.3(47).2025.3582

Oliwia Gugała University Clinical Hospital no. 2 PMU in Szczecin, Powstańców Wielkopolskich 72 St 70-111 Szczecin, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0002-4081-4140
Kamil Nowak Specialist Hospital No. 4 in Bytom al. Legionów 10, 41-902 Bytom, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0001-2539-3360
Alicja Stryczek-Schlusche University Clinical Hospital in Opole, al. W. Witosa 26 45-401 Opole, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0005-3033-1083
Hanna Paszkiewicz 5th Military Hospital with Polyclinic in Cracow, Wrocławska 1-3, 30-901 Kraków, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0007-6536-3311
Patryk Kowalczyk 10th Military Research Hospital And Polyclinic, Independent Public Healthcare Centre In Bydgoszcz, Powstańców Warszawy 5, 85-681 Bydgoszcz, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7303-8185
Bartłomiej Trzciński 10th Military Research Hospital And Polyclinic, Independent Public Healthcare Centre In Bydgoszcz, Powstańców Warszawy 5, 85-681 Bydgoszcz, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0007-1309-0470
Igor Winogrodzki Military Institute of Aviation Medicine 54/56 Krasińskiego Street, 01-755 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0751-6636
Aleksandra Magdalena Furczyńska Medical University of Lodz, Al. Kościuszki 4, 90-419 Łódź, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-3165-8247
Filip Bracichowicz Military Institute of Aviation Medicine, Krasińskiego 54/56, 01-755 Warsaw, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0008-6661-5450
Aleksandra Gęsińska Medical University of Lodz, Al. Kościuszki 4, 90-419 Łódź, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0005-6062-4995
Wiktoria Socha Medical University of Lodz, Al. Kościuszki 4, 90-419 Łódź, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-1847-7501

DOI: https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.3(47).2025.3582

Keywords: Instagram, Social Networking Services, Depression, Mental Health, Adolescents, Young Adults

Abstract

Introduction and purpose: The vast majority of the global population has access to the internet and consequently to social networking services (SNSs). These are online social media platforms that facilitate interaction between users and enable the sharing of information. One of the most popular SNSs is Instagram. However, the utilisation of this application does exert an influence on the mental health of users, yielding both favourable and unfavourable outcomes. This study aims to review the literature on the correlation between Instagram use and depression among the largest group of users – adolescents and young adults.

Stage of knowledge: Instagram is a free application for sharing photos and videos which has rapidly become an integral part of life for many people around the world. Due to the visual nature of its content, this social networking platform possesses characteristics that differentiate it from other such services, making it worthwhile to investigate the effects of this medium on mental health. Given its popularity, particularly among young users, studying the correlation between Instagram and a range of psychological well-being variables can provide valuable insights into its impact on the mental health of adolescents and young adults, such as depression.

Materials and methods: A comprehensive literature review was conducted utilising the Google Scholar and PubMed databases, employing the following keywords: Instagram, Social Networking Services, Depression, Mental Health, Adolescents, Young Adults.

Results: Unlimited access to social networking services has an impact on the mental health of users. Specifically Instagram use can lead to unfavorable results on mental well-being, such as depression. The group most vulnerable to these negative consequences is also the largest group of users – adolescents and young adults.

Conclusions: Further research on the influence of Instagram on depression among adolescents and young adults is essential to gain a more profound understanding of their mental health and to identify effective methods of preventing the adverse outcomes associated with social media use, such as depression. Furthermore, the potential of Instagram as a medium for promoting mental health should be given due consideration.

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INSTAGRAM VS REALITY: INFLUENCE OF INSTAGRAM ON DEPRESSION AMONG ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG ADULTS - A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

References

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