According to a recent Wall Street Journal report, the social media giant Facebook has repeatedly found that its own photo-sharing app Instagram can be harmful to the mental health of teenage users, with teen girls at particular risk.
The app provides a quick and accessible tool for social comparison, according to the Verge. Users who scroll through their feeds or use the "Explore" function receive a megadose of idealized bodies through advertisements and carefully curated professional accounts. According to CNET, Facebook's own internal analysis has found that the experience is damaging for many young users, who frequently report feeling worse about their bodies after using the app.
