Are Likes Ruining Instagram?

    Layla isn’t alone. Most teens are under pressure to make their lives look perfect on social media. And one study found that Instagram was actually the worst social media app for young people’s health. Many teens said that it made them feel anxious.

    Why? Some Instagram users say it’s hard not to compare yourself with others on the app. Cool vacations, brand-name clothes, perfect selfies—it can seem like everyone is just showing off their amazing lives. 

    And then there are the like counts. Why did your friend’s post get 63 likes when yours got only 10? “Comparing myself to friends makes me feel awful,” Layla says. 

    Layla isn’t alone. Most teens feel pressure to make their lives look perfect on social media. One study found that Instagram was the worst social media app for young people’s health. Many teens said it made them feel anxious.

    Why? It can be hard not to compare yourself with others on the app. Cool vacations. Brand-name clothes. Perfect selfies. The photos can make other people’s lives seem perfect.

    And then there are the like counts. Why did your friend’s post get 63 likes when yours got only 10?  

    Layla isn’t alone. Most teens are under pressure to make their lives look perfect on social media. And one study found that Instagram was the worst social media app for young people’s health. Many teens said it made them feel anxious.

    Some Instagram users say it’s difficult not to compare yourself with others on the app. Cool vacations, brand-name clothes, perfect selfies—it can seem like everyone is just showing off their spectacular lives.

    And then there are the like counts. Why did your friend’s post get 63 likes when yours got only 10? “Comparing myself to friends makes me feel awful,” Layla says. 

    So earlier this year, the people who work at Instagram had an idea. What if they hid the like counts so no one else could see them? They tested this version of the app in seven countries. 

    Adam Mosseri is the head of Instagram. He wants people to worry less about likes and more about connecting with others. “We don’t want Instagram to feel like a competition,” he says. 

    Many people cheered the decision to hide likes. Some even said it didn’t go far enough. Why not get rid of likes altogether? 

    Earlier this year, the people who work at Instagram had an idea: to hide the like counts so no one else could see them. They tested this version of the app in seven countries.

    Adam Mosseri is the head of Instagram. He wants people to think about connecting with others, not about getting likes. 

    “We don’t want Instagram to feel like a competition,” he says. Many people cheered the decision to hide likes. Some even said the app should get rid of likes completely. 

    So earlier this year, the people who work at Instagram had an idea—they could hide the like counts so no one else could see them. They tested this version of the app in seven countries.

    Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, wants people to worry less about likes and more about connecting with others. “We don’t want Instagram to feel like a competition,” he says.

    Many people cheered the decision to hide likes, and some even suggested taking it further. Why not get rid of likes altogether?

    But many Instagram users like the app the way it is. To them, likes are a fun way to support friends—like an online high five. And getting even one or two of those likes is nice. “They make me feel loved and appreciated,” says Ellie, 16. 

    Joshua, 17, agrees. In fact, he thinks that competing for likes makes Instagram better. “It keeps people from posting photos that nobody wants to see,” he says.

    No matter what side you’re on, that’s an interesting thing to think about. How would your Instagram photos look different if you didn’t have to worry about getting likes?

    For Layla, answering that question made her feel free. “I would be able to post whatever I wanted,” she says. “My photos would definitely look much more like real life.” 

    But many people like the app the way it is. To them, likes are a fun way to support friends. And getting even one or two of those likes is nice. “They make me feel loved and appreciated,” says Ellie, 16.

    Joshua, 17, agrees. In fact, he thinks that competing for likes makes Instagram better. “It keeps people from posting photos that nobody wants to see,” he says.

    No matter what side you’re on, that’s worth thinking about. How would your Instagram photos look if you weren’t worried about getting likes?

    That idea makes Layla feel free. “I would be able to post whatever I wanted,” she says. “My photos would definitely look much more like real life.” 

    But many Instagram users like the app the way it is. To them, likes are a fun way to support friends—like an online high five. And getting even one or two of those likes is nice. “They make me feel loved and appreciated,” says Ellie, 16.

    Joshua, 17, agrees. In fact, he thinks that competing for likes makes Instagram better. “It keeps people from posting photos that nobody wants to see,” he explains.

    No matter what side you’re on, that’s an interesting idea to consider. How would your Instagram photos look different if you didn’t have to worry about getting likes?

    For Layla, answering that question made her feel free. “I would be able to post whatever I wanted,” she says. “My photos would definitely look much more like real life.”