Kevin Systrom, one of the co-founders of Instagram, recently expressed his concerns about the direction the social network has taken in recent years. in a (n interview Along with American technology reporter Kara Swisher, Systrom claimed that Instagram has lost its “soul” and is no longer the platform he helped create.
Systrom founded Instagram with Mike Krieger in 2010 and also created Burbn, a location-sharing service. He revealed in the interview that he used to log on to Instagram to see what his friends and family were up to, but now all he sees are creators and brands using the platform to sell products and services and make money earn.
Instagram has lost its soul
According to Systrom, the problem with Instagram’s business model is its focus on targeted ads. While this strategy may have paid off for Meta, Instagram’s parent company, it has left many regular Instagram users feeling left out. The platform is increasingly aimed at professional developers and enterprises, leaving little room for the average user.
The monetization process on Instagram has also led to unintended consequences. Influencers on the platform live extravagant lives, promoting a lifestyle that many people aspire to but cannot achieve. Systrom notes that Instagram has become a race to the bottom. With users competing to be the most perfect and flawless.
Systrom praised the BeReal platform for trying to salvage some of what Instagram was in the past. BeReal encourages users to post random, unfiltered moments of their day with no preparation, makeup, or pre-production. This platform is a response to the increasing pressure on Instagram users to present a perfect, curated picture of their lives.
It’s important to note that Instagram was sold to Facebook in 2012 for $1 billion. Systrom and Krieger remained at the helm for a while but eventually left the company in 2018 due to disagreements with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg.
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The impact of social media on our lives is really bad
Systrom’s criticism of Instagram reflects a growing concern about the impact social media is having on our lives. Many people feel pressured to present a perfect picture of themselves on these platforms, leading to increased anxiety and depression. The rise of influencers has also created unrealistic expectations about what it means to be successful or happy.
Instagram’s focus on monetization has also led to a growing divide between content creators and regular users. While influencers lead lavish lifestyles on the platform, many regular users struggle to keep up. This division could lead to unintended social consequences, Systrom warns.
The BeReal platform is an attempt to address some of these issues. By encouraging users to be more authentic and less filtered. However, whether this platform can compete with Instagram remains to be seen. Which has become a dominant force in the social media landscape. Despite its bad effect on the mental and psychological health of users.
In summary, Systrom’s criticism of Instagram underscores the growing concern about the impact of social media on our lives. The focus on monetization has resulted in a platform increasingly aligning itself with influencers and brands. Ordinary users feel left out. The rise of influencers has also created unrealistic expectations about what it means to be successful or happy. The BeReal platform is an answer to these concerns. But whether it can really offer an alternative to Instagram’s curated picture of perfection remains to be seen. Moving forward, it is important to further question the role of social media in our lives and how we can use these platforms in a healthy and authentic way.
