Impact of Social Media on Self-esteem and Emotions: An Instagram-Based Case Study.

Social networks currently serve not only as platforms for publishing content but also as fundamental tools for accessing information. This role in providing access is mediated by a series of opaque, algorithm-based mechanisms for personalising the content. This article draws on existing literature on the relationship between possible mental health disorders and the functioning of these platforms to try to understand their effects on elements such as self-esteem and emotions. To this end, it focuses on the Instagram social network, which is prominent in the user groups corresponding to the Millennial and Z generations due to its high visual and multimedia content, its capacity for uncovering trends, and its integration with social commerce. It presents the results of a study (n = 100) of Instagram users between the ages of 18 and 39. These results provide relevant data on patterns associated with the following: time spent on the platform and excessive use, the risk of emotional loneliness or isolation, displacement of daily activities, and feelings of inferiority. They also reveal a real lack of awareness of how the algorithms on these types of platforms work and an interest in the mechanisms of disconnection and digital well-being. Lastly, the results open up new possibilities for inclusion of these risks in digital literacy programmes.