Life in Color
In a world full of “likes” and perfectly curated posts, I sometimes get overwhelmed by social media. It’s not that I don’t like keeping up with my friends -- I do -- but it’s hard to not feel left out when you see a Snapchat of friends hanging out without you or even an Instagram from a party you couldn’t attend. It’s no surprise that social media has real effects on society today and there’s generally no argument that dangers of depression and anxiety exist as a result. But, how we’re fighting social media-based depression has taken a specific form, making Instagram “followers” more empowered than ever to break the cycle.
In October, Cornell scientists conducted a study about the link between an Instagram user’s photos and their mental health. After analyzing more than 40,000 Instagram photos, scientists found that depressed users were more likely to use blue, black and other darker filters on their photos. The most commonly used filter among depressed participants was Inkwell (a black and white filter) compared to “happy” participants, who most commonly utilized Valencia (a color-highlighting filter).
Problems start when people only try to show the best versions of themselves, causing people to compare their reality with other’s perfectly curated pictures and videos. “People want to put on their best self and show people what they are doing,” says Ari Cohen, a junior studying communication sciences and disorders. “When you log on, you compare your own ‘best self’ with everyone else's, and that’s where issue starts.”
When I look back on the photos that I’ve turned from color-filled to black-and-white, there was usually an insecurity that I was trying to cover up, sometimes without even realizing it. A few times, I didn’t like the way I looked. Other times, I could have been sad without even realizing it. I usually tend to dress colorfully and my favorite kinds of pictures usually involved vivid and beautiful colors. Changing the color quality of my photos was not like me at all.
As a greater community on social media, what are we supposed to do about it? I think there are two main things: first, stop placing your worth in the number of people who care to follow you. Secondly, if you see people that need help, react.
In response to this news, Instagram created a help center where users can report feelings that their friends may be in danger of self harming behaviors. Not only can you tell Instagram, but they will reach out to the user saying that one of their friends is concerned about them. The notification gives these users options, too: whether they want to reach out to a friend, or even look at possible services that could give them professional help.
I’m not say that this is going to fix the issues that exist because of social media FOMO and self-judgement. But, if they are going to be a part of the problem, they have also become a part of the solution.