Understanding connection

Instagram is a global platform that allows users to not only interact with family, friends, and peers, but with different people all over the world. Through the Explore page, people from different countries are able to see each other's images or videos. Also, people are able to be exposed to news articles about various crises and successes in the world. By observing these images and reading the news articles, people are able to develop an understanding of different cultures. Since people on the platform are free to interact with any of the other users, whether it be through the comment section or direct messaging, they may develop a relationship with someone from another country.

According to research, Instagram has the ability to create and strengthen friendships that can translate offline. A study conducted on college students found that those who are more introverted are more likely to develop and enhance friendships through the platform than those who are extroverted. Since introverts find in person interactions to be overwhelming, they feel more comfortable engaging with others online. Introverts will be more willing to share their thoughts, opinions, and open up to other users, which could lead to the development of friendships offline. Users ability to follow anyone without a private account and interact with them increases the chances to form friendships. Although forming connections online can be a positive experience for some users, it can lead to negative experiences as well. If people only resort to forming friendships online, they will become dependent on those friendships. As a result, they can develop a greater social media addiction and become more isolated from their friendships offline. In addition, they could experience loneliness and depression from observing posts of their peers or people they considered to be friends with partying or hanging out with others.