Post what you like? Or post to gain likes?
Is this new Instagram update the key to eliminating the pressure for users to perform an altered identity to boost their self esteem?
A few weeks ago, Instagram decided to implement a new system update that hides the amount of likes users get on posts. Throughout the entire feed, you can only see ‘others’ under posts instead of the usual like count. As a trial, this update is Instagram’s way of dealing with user mental health concerns by removing ‘likes’ to alleviate the pressure and stress of gaining likes on your posts.
In a Triple J article, Ange McCormack explains that the update aims to encourage users to focus on uploading content that they like rather than content that will gain the most likes.
An important concept surrounding this update is ‘identity performance’ which is the theory that a user would portray an altered version of themselves to their audience in order to appear more trendy and gain more likes. The underlying question surrounding this controversial update is whether or not users will still feel the need to alter and perfect their online personas now that the pressure of gaining likes has been eliminated?
You would hope that all Instagram users would be confidently portraying their genuine selves, though sadly this is not always the case and some use the platform as an opportunity to adjust the way they are perceived by others to increase their self-esteem and confidence. The theory of ‘identity performance’ was derived from the original ‘Goffman’s Theory’ which states that we display ourselves in countless ways by controlling and altering how we appear, and that we are continuously concerned about our performed self-image and wanting our society to see only our best façade. Goffman explained that individuals will perform a particular identity by changing and guiding the impression of those around them in order to appear more desireable socially. As an image-based platform, Instagram creates the perfect opportunity to be consciously selective when choosing visuals to post to create their desired online self-image. Before the update, users may have felt pressure to conform to popular culture and modify their online self-identity and aesthetic. A similar theory by Anthony Giddens discusses the negative psychological impacts that performing an unauthentic persona can have on users including ‘existential isolation’ and ‘moral guilt’ due to not expressing their true self online.
With all of this in mind it is clear that Instagram has made a good choice hiding the ‘like count’ on posts, as users will feel less pressure to portray themselves differently in order to gain the most likes. Australian nutritionist Lyndi Cohen has expressed her unhealthy habit of obsessing over how many ‘likes’ she gets in an interview with CNET. “We can get addicted to chasing likes instead of chasing great content.” In 2017, RSPH reported that Instagram had ranked as ‘worst for young people’s mental health’ with wellbeing issues such as; depression, self-expression, anxiety, body image and self-identity being extremely common. Although it took approximately two years for Instagram to make a change, it seems users are already feeling the positive impacts.
In a Huffington Post article multiple users are expressing feelings of relief over the update, saying that they’ve stopped comparing their accounts with others and began feeling more comfortable and carefree when expressing themselves online now that the pressure of gaining ‘likes’ has been eliminated. One user in particular said “This change gives people the liberty to curate their profiles the way they want them to look as opposed to the way they feel will get the most likes. I think this could help a lot of users’ self-image.”
Hopefully, this Instagram update will be here to stay and keep the pressure of ‘likes’ off users posting content and encourage them to perform their authentic self-identity online.
