ST. LOUIS, MO (KMOX) - "32% of teen girls say that when they feel bad about themselves, Instagram makes them feel worse," says Media Literacy expert and author Julie Smith, explaining details of internal research by Instagram owner Facebook.
A new report reveals Facebook executives have known for several years that the company's Instagram platform can be toxic for teenage girls.
Hear KMOX's Megan Lynch discussion with Smith about the report at the link below.
Smith tells KMOX, Instagram is photo-based, but also impacts young people's sense of personal value in other ways.
"You ask any 7th grade girl how many Instagram followers she has and she'll tell you right off the top of her head, she'll also tell you the popular kids who she follows who don't follow her back," she says.
Instagram says it will begin prompting teens to look at more positive content. Smith says families should also educate teens about how Instagram and other social media platforms make money by keeping them engaged.
"Be completely transparent with kids about why these platforms exist and how they make money," Smith says. "They are not in public service. They are designed in order to get our attention."
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