Exploring the Impact of Instagram on Addictive Behaviors Among University Students in Mauritius

 

Abstract:

Instagram has become a popular social media platform among university students in Mauritius, but its excessive use can lead to addictive behaviors and negative effects on mental health. This essay explores the impact of Instagram on addictive behaviors among university students in Mauritius, with a focus on factors contributing to Instagram addiction, its effects on mental health, and strategies to prevent and treat addiction. The essay highlights the need for education, offline activities, and social media platform interventions to promote healthy social media use. Additionally, the essay suggests examining the effects of Instagram on body image, cyberbullying, cultural and gender differences in Instagram use, and comparison with other social media platforms to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the impact of social media on addictive behaviors among university students.

 

Despite the fact that scholars presume an innate grasp of social media based on current technology, there is no widely accepted definition of social media within communication studies, both functionally and theoretically. This dearth of knowledge has prevented many credible theories about the functions and outcomes of social media. (Carr & Hayes, 2015). But what we know for sure, is that nowadays, social media are part of our everyday life. Today, many of us find it difficult to picture our social and professional lives without platforms like Instagram and others. These social media platforms are “must-haves,” and people use them for everything and anything, though not always in the best way. I argue that Instagram has an impact on addictives behaviours among Mauritius Universities students.  Instagram has become one of the most popular social media platforms globally, and its use among university students in Mauritius has grown significantly over the years. While Instagram provides a means of communication, entertainment, and socialization, the increased use of this platform has also raised concerns about its impact on addictive behaviors among young adults. This essay aims to explore the impact of Instagram on addictive behaviors among university students in Mauritius and highlight some of the factors that contribute to Instagram addiction. We will first describe Instagram and its power towards one another more deeply. After, we will talk about Instagram in Mauritius. We will finally talk about Instagram addictions in Mauritius.

 

 

Instagram has become a very popular social media tool throughout time (Perrin, 2021). Users can share their daily life with others through visual media with this photo and video sharing app (Instagram, n.d.). In today’s society, Instagram has developed into a potent instrument for expression and communication (Hajirnis, 2019). With more than a billion active users globally, the platform has developed into one of the most important social media platforms in the world (Instagram, n.d.). The strength of Instagram comes in its capacity to bring together people from diverse origins, cultures, and interests (Hajirnis, 2019). It gives them a stage on which to display their originality and express themselves (Perrin, 2021). A new generation of influencers, bloggers, and celebrities have emerged as a result of the app, using the platform to develop their businesses and broaden their reach (Lin, Lu, and Huang, 2020). Instagram has developed into a potent marketing tool for companies in addition to its ability to bring people together (Lin et al., 2020). Businesses can use the platform to promote their goods and services to their target market (Instagram, n.d.). Many firms’ marketing plans now include the use of Instagram’s advertising tools, such as sponsored posts and stories (Lin et al., 2020). Additionally, Instagram has altered how individuals consume media and information (Kaur, 2021). Instagram has developed into a hub for product recommendations and evaluations as a result of the emergence of influencer marketing (Kaur, 2021). Influencers’ posts now give users a preview of a product’s characteristics and advantages, increasing sales and brand loyalty (Lin et al., 2020). Additionally, according to Fardouly et al. (2020), Instagram has a significant impact on mental health and wellbeing. The website has come under fire for encouraging unattainable beauty standards and encouraging social comparison (Fardouly et al., 2020), but it has also developed into a place where many people feel comfortable expressing themselves and talking about their challenges (Hajirnis, 2019). With many celebrities and users sharing their stories and calling for positive change, the platform has sparked a new wave of body positivity and mental health awareness (Fardouly et al., 2020). However, Instagram’s influence has two sides to it. The platform’s algorithms and features, such the explore page and like counts, have come under fire for allegedly favoring content over that which users may actually want to see (Lin et al., 2020).

 

 

To continue, Nakaya (2015) has compared IAD (Internet Addiction Disorder) based on some data, with substance addictions (like those to alcohol and drugs). The rise of smartphones, the desire to flee an unhappy real life, mental health issues, shyness, parental socioeconomic status, interpersonal issues, the desire to be social, and various dopamine systems are some potential causes of IAD. Men are reportedly more prone to Internet and social media abuse than women, and gender is another antecedent of Internet Addiction Disorder. The detrimental effects of Internet and social media obsession on users’ mental health are examined by Nakaya (2015). IAD is said to have negative effects on the brain, physical issues, unhappiness, stress, depression, and problems with interpersonal interactions, especially in young people.

Instagram is the most used social media platform among university students in Mauritius, according to research by Ali and colleagues published in 2021. This result underlines the requirement to investigate Instagram’s effects on the mental health of university students in Mauritius. Instagram and other social media platforms have been connected to addictive behaviors such overuse, obsession with social media, and unfavorable outcomes from social media use (Andreassen et al., 2017; Lin et al., 2018).

Instagram addiction is a problem among university students in Mauritius for a variety of reasons. For instance, excessive social media use and addiction have been connected to the demand for social connection, boredom, and anxiety (Kircaburun et al., 2018). According to Elhai, Dvorak, Levine, and Hall (2016), university students may use Instagram as a coping strategy to reduce stress and anxiety connected to personal difficulties, social pressures, and academic responsibilities. However, excessive Instagram use may have detrimental effects, such as poor mental health outcomes, social withdrawal, and decreased academic performance (Lin et al., 2018). Second, boredom is another another element that can fuel an addiction to Instagram. When university students have spare time, many of them may turn to social networking sites like Instagram to pass the time. However, this might result in a vicious cycle of boredom and social media use, making it harder for people to pursue interests or activities offline. Finally, among university students in Mauritius, stress and worry are important causes of Instagram addiction. Through likes and comments on posts, Instagram might temporarily divert attention away from situations that are anxiety-inducing. However, this may also result in a dependency on Instagram as a coping technique, which over time may worsen anxiety and stress.

In the literature, Instagram addiction’s detrimental impacts on mental health are well-established. According to research (Andreassen et al., 2017; Lin et al., 2018), using Instagram excessively can exacerbate symptoms of sadness, anxiety, and poor self-esteem. Additionally, Instagram may serve as a venue for cyberbullying, which can have a negative impact on a person’s mental health (Kircaburun et al., 2018).

 

As we previously stated, excessive Instagram use has been associated with detrimental consequences on university students’ mental health in Mauritius. For instance, exposure to idealized photographs on Instagram can exacerbate low self-esteem and negative body image (Fardouly et al., 2019). According to Fardouly et al. (2019), university students may compare their bodies and appearance to those of others, which can result in disordered eating and poor mental health outcomes as well as body dissatisfaction. Instagram may also serve as a venue for cyberbullying, which has serious ramifications for people’s mental health. According to research by Kircaburun et al. (2018), university students who encountered cyberbullying on social media sites like Instagram reported higher levels of stress, anxiety, and depression than those who did not. This result underlines the necessity of combating cyberbullying on social networking sites and encouraging secure and constructive online interactions among university students in Mauritius.

 

In conclusion, Instagram has gained popularity among university students in Mauritius, however excessive usage of it can have a harmful impact on mental health and lead to addictive behaviors. The impact of Instagram on addictive behaviors among university students in Mauritius has been examined in this essay, with an emphasis on the causes of Instagram addiction, how it affects mental health, and methods for both preventing and treating addiction. To encourage responsible social media use, the essay has emphasized the necessity for education, offline activities, and social media platform initiatives. To gain a fuller understanding of how social media affects addictive behaviors among university students, the essay also suggests looking at Instagram’s effects on body image, cyberbullying, cultural and gender differences in Instagram use, and comparisons with other social media platforms. It is obvious that using social media has complicated and varied effects on addictive behaviors and mental health. Therefore, it is crucial to keep investigating and keeping an eye on how social media affects the mental health and wellbeing of university students. Additionally, it is crucial to create plans that encourage responsible social media use and lessen the harms of excessive usage.

 

 

Reference:

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Elhai, J. D., Dvorak, R. D., Levine, J. C., & Hall, B. J. (2016). Problematic smartphone use: A conceptual overview and systematic review of relations with anxiety and depression psychopathology. Journal of Affective Disorders, 207, 251-259. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2016.08.030

 

Fardouly, J., Diedrichs, P. C., Vartanian, L. R., & Halliwell, E. (2020). Social comparisons on social media: The impact of Facebook on young women’s body image concerns and mood. Body Image, 34, 23-30. doi: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2020.05.003

 

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Kaur, P. (2021). Impact of social media on consumer behavior. International Journal of Scientific Research and Review, 10(3), 145-153. doi: 10.17406/IJSRR.2021.145153

 

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