TikTok or Instagram: An Insight Into the Harmful Effects of Social Media

By: S. Lawrence Bueno

We live in an electronics-dominated world, where even humanity is now at risk. Social media has its dark sides, and it is an inescapable fact of life in current times.
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The initial question on my mind was: “TikTok vs. Instagram, which one is better?”. But after putting some thought into it, the inquiry flipped around to its opposite sense. Which one of the two apps is more harmful and detrimental to humankind?


Instagram is a free, photo and video sharing social networking service, that allows users to communicate with anyone in the world, while also sharing pictures and videos on their accounts. TikTok focuses primarily on videos, having the objective to entertain.


In my opinion, the worst issue our society faces regarding Instagram and other social media apps is how fake people are online. On a daily basis, a teenager scrolls through their feed, that is filled with perfect photos. Photos that are often edited for hours. Photos of girls wearing bikinis that don’t have a single stretch mark, who have thin waists and perfectly straight hair. Photos of a group of friends. Photos of people at a party, looking unrealistically glamorous, that consequently contradicts the theory of imperfections. Photos that you stare at for minutes and wonder why you are the way you are. Photos that make you question the way you look. Photos that make you question your entire existence and if you are good enough for people. All of these obscure thoughts are generated simply because of a few pictures.


Social media influences people to edit away their flaws, and makes society perceive acceptance as making yourself look unreal. Social media greatly contributed to the decline of mental health.


I find that TikTok is a little less damaging than Instagram. In reality, your feed is composed with media posted by the people you follow, but it still doesn’t keep it from being toxic.


Nowadays, authenticity is rare. For the future, I hope to see more of who people genuinely are, and less of their editing skills. If you can, be more authentic online, and share pictures and videos that weren’t artificially made. Help other people feel good about themselves!