The Impact of Instagram on Mental Health in Canadian Young Adults aged 19 to 25.
Ankit kumar Daral
Riken Rameshbhai Khokhariya
Balakumar Palanisamy
Harnain Singh Jaspal Singh Banga
Almas Makboolbhai Ajmeri
Tinuade Temitope Amadin
Devarsh Bhadresh Dave
COMM8450 – TECHNICAL COMMUNICATION
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS ANALYSIS, CONESTOGA COLLEGE
ASSIGNMENT 3 – PHASE 3 – FINAL REPORT
Prof. MARION KENNEDY
MARCH 29, 2023
The Impact of Instagram on Mental Health in Canadian Young Adults aged 19 to 25.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
INTRODUCTION
POTENTIAL POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE IMPACTS
POTENTIAL WAYS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUES
 Promoting Digital Literacy
 Encourage Positive online behaviour.
 Promote Evidence based resources.
CONCLUSION
Page number
The Impact of Instagram on Mental Health in Canadian Young Adults aged 19 to 25.
Executive Summary
The focus of this research is on the possible damage that excessive Instagram use can do to
young adults' mental health in Canada. The study highlights social comparison, cyberbullying,
and FOMO feelings as some of the effects of Instagram use on mental health, both good and
bad. Additionally, the study pinpoints specific Instagram usage patterns linked to mental
health problems like anxiety, hopelessness, and diminished wellbeing.





To address the mental health problems brought on by young adults in Canada using
Instagram, the research suggests a variety of tactics.
Promoting digital literacy, critical thinking, and online safety are a few of these tactics,
as are encouraging healthy online behaviour and developing and disseminating social
media tools for mental health.
The goal is to encourage a more conscious and beneficial use of Instagram by young
people while minimising the detrimental consequences on their mental health.
The study highlights the significance of comprehending the link between social media
usage and mental health and taking steps to lessen its negative effects, especially
among young individuals.
Using the suggested techniques can help Canadian young adults' mental health
outcomes and allow them to use Instagram more wisely and effectively.
The Impact of Instagram on Mental Health in Canadian Young Adults aged 19 to 25.
INTRODUCTION:
This research aims at how Instagram use may affect Canadian young adults between
the ages of 19 and 25 in terms of their mental health. The influence of Instagram on mood,
anxiety, general well-being, self-esteem, body image, and the stigma associated with mental
health disorders is specifically examined in this paper. The study summarises the most recent
studies on Instagram and mental health and lists both the advantages and disadvantages of
Instagram use. The survey also identifies Instagram usage trends among Canadian young
adults aged 19 to 25 that are connected to alterations in mental health. The paper concludes
by making suggestions about how to use Instagram in a way that promotes healthy mental
health outcomes.
POTENTIAL POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE IMPACTS:
Both good and negative effects on mental health have been linked to young people'
usage of Instagram in Canada. Instagram may provide young adults a platform to interact with
like-minded people and exchange creative ideas, but it can also result in social comparison,
cyberbullying, and FOMO sentiments.
The mood of young adults in Canada has been proven to suffer when Instagram is used
excessively. Using social media excessively, checking notifications constantly, comparing
oneself to others, experiencing cyberbullying, or having more "likes" or "follows" might also
be linked to greater levels of anxiety. Also, excessive Instagram use might harm one's general
wellbeing, reduce life happiness, and undermine one's self-worth.
The Impact of Instagram on Mental Health in Canadian Young Adults aged 19 to 25.
According to research, specific patterns of Instagram use among Canadian young adults aged
19 to 25 are associated with mental health issues like anxiety, despair, and decreased
wellbeing. These patterns include comparing oneself to others, experiencing cyberbullying,
and having more "likes" or followers.
Using Instagram for mental health may have advantages like establishing connections with
encouraging groups and looking for mental health resources. The self-esteem and body image
of young adults in Canada, however, can also be greatly impacted by Instagram. Frequent
exposure to photographs of other people's appearances and activities can make people feel
insecure, especially if they are seeing images of people, they consider to be more attractive
or successful.
POTENTIAL WAYS TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUES:
Promoting Digital Literacy:
In context with these results, there are several ways to address the potential harm that
Instagram use may cause to young adults in Canada's mental health. One alternative is to
encourage young individuals to become digitally literate, with an emphasis on critical thinking,
media literacy, and online safety. This would make it possible for teenagers and young adults
to use Instagram and other social media sites more carefully and sensibly.
Encourage Positive online behaviour:
Another choice is to encourage young adults to behave nicely, respectfully, and
empathically online. This could entail campaigns to stop cyberbullying and encourage inclusive
and supportive online communities.
The Impact of Instagram on Mental Health in Canadian Young Adults aged 19 to 25.
Promote Evidence based resources:
The development and promotion of tools and services based on fact that young adults
may use to support their mental health on Instagram and other social media platforms is a
last possibility. This might involve the creation of mental health-related hashtags, the
marketing of already-existing mental health resources, and the formation of mental health
support groups.
Overall, combining all three methods is the suggested course of action. Young adults
in Canada may be given the resources they need to use Instagram more thoughtfully and
positively by promoting digital literacy, good online habits, and evidence-based resources. This
strategy may help young adults in Canada achieve better mental health outcomes while
reducing the detrimental effects of Instagram use on their mental well-being.
CONCLUSION:
In conclusion, young individuals in Canada who use Instagram report both good and
negative consequences on their mental health. Excessive usage, cyberbullying, social
comparison, and FOMO feelings can have a detrimental influence on mental health and cause
anxiety, diminished wellness, and lower self-esteem, even while it can offer a forum for
creative exchange and interacting with like-minded people.
We advise a combination of methods to address the potential harm. Young adults can use
Instagram and other social media platforms more thoughtfully and positively by first
encouraging digital literacy, critical thinking, and online safety. Second, promoting positive
online behaviour can lessen cyberbullying and foster communities by promoting interactions
that are respectful and empathic. Finally, creating and promoting mental health tools and
services on social media, including mental health-related hashtags, already-existing mental
health resources, and mental health support groups, can offer resources to encourage
favourable mental health outcomes.
When these strategies are combined, young adults in Canada will use Instagram more
carefully and favourably, improving mental health outcomes and minimising the negative
consequences of Instagram use on their mental wellness. It is crucial to comprehend how
social media use affects mental health and to take action to lessen its detrimental
consequences, especially among young adults.
REFERENCES: