Instagram...
while it's not your typical social networking site, where creating strong
relationships with other users, despite the barrier of distance, is not a mere
possibility but a reality. Instagram filters out all the rubbish our friends
post about long days at work and their endless uni assignments, and allows
users to see the juicy stuff their eyes desire. Such as last nights dinner, and
Rihannas latest outfit or lack thereof. See my distinction?
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| http://creatememe.chucklesnetwork.com/memes/136580 /if-i-didnt-instagram-my-food-today-did-i-even-eat |
Instagram allows an individual
to develop and mould an identity based on values, beliefs and characteristics. Creating an Instragram profile, for example, lets individuals display
information such as religious views, interests, experiences, sexual
orientation, education and work. This is important for the positive development
of self-concept as the view of an individual from their peers can leave a great
impression on how they view themselves (Adler & Rodman, 2009, p.32).
Networking platforms such as Instragram create a virtual landscape for
users to create their own concepts and ideas about their personal social
experiences, and communication of such ideas is instantaneous and available in
an aesthetically pleasing manner… Well most of the time anyway.
However, while this platform has the ability
to shape and mould the way individuals view them self in a positive way, it can
also be detrimental for their health…
As you can see there is a clear juxtaposition between
Instagram and pro-eating disorder groups. Hashtags such as #thinspo, #thighgap,
#thinspiration are prevalent on the platform. Encouraging users to partake in
the dangerous behaviours that caused them to fall victim to their various
diseases in the first place.
Instragram offers these groups a medium in which they can
actively engage with fellow users. Due to the nature of the platform, in which
connection is purely image-driven, users are at a far greater risk of comparing
themselves to others.
The implications of grooming profiles such as the users I
mentioned in the above video include the creation of a negative self-concept
shaped by ideological moulding. Ideology plays an enormous role in the
eradicate discourse that runs through the mind of suffers of eating disorders. Ideology is a thought process that helps to make sense of surroundings.
According to Freeden (2003) “we simply cannot do without them
because we cannot act without making sense of the worlds we inhabit” (p. 2). An
ideology is a foundation of an individuals actions and opportunity.
According to McKee
(2001) “there is no simple, single, correct interpretation of reality, it becomes
very important to understand how media texts might be used in order to make
sense of the world we live in. We cannot simply collect facts about our society
– statistics, for example – and then say that we understand our society and
culture, because these facts and statistics are just more texts. If we want to
understand the world we live in, then we have to understand how people are
making sense of that world” (p. 143).
Reflecting on the
creation of this video I felt that I struggled greatly. With no prior
experience in video editing it was an interesting feat putting together content
that wasn’t too bland. For a large portion of my video I used screen grabs from
users I found on Instagram using hashtags to support my arguments. I was hoping
to be able to post some form of short clip into my video and do a voice over,
over the top, but saving and uploading this sort of material was a little
beyond my technical expertise and thus I kept uploaded content to screen shots
and images.
Gaining supporting
evidence for my argument was surprising a lot easier than expected, which was
revealed to me after a quick search on the Library database Ebscohost. I found
a plethora of supporting journal articles that outlined the connection between
eating disorders and social media. This allowed me to gain a broad
understanding of how these platforms, in particular image sharing channels,
support the encouragement of pro-eating disorder groups.
This assignment gave me
a very basic introduction to video editing, and the importance of allowing
yourself time to create such content. While I experienced very little technical
difficulties, I was glad I had the leeway to fix any issues if they had arisen.
Reference:
Adler,
R.B. and Rodman, G., Understanding Human
Communication, 10th edn, Oxford University Press, New York,
2009, ch. 2, pp. 31 – 65
Cabral, BV (2012), 'Looking
for change: Towards breaking down 'habitus'', Applied Theatre Research, 1,
1, pp. 17-27, International Bibliography of Theatre & Dance with Full Text,
EBSCOhost
Freeden, M 2003,
Ideology : A Very Short Introduction, Oxford: Oxford University Press,
eBook Academic Collection (EBSCOhost), EBSCOhost
Instagram.com, (2014). Instagram. [online] Available at: http://instagram.com/ [Accessed 6 Sep. 2014].
Klaehn, J. (2005). A critical review and assessment of Herman and
Chomsky’s "Propaganda Model". Filtering the news:
Essays on Herman and Chomsky’s Propaganda Model.
Montreal, Black Rose Books, pp. 1–20.
Lopez-Guimera, G, Levine, M, Sanchez-carracedo, D, &
Fauquet, J 2010, 'Influence of Mass Media
on Body Image and Eating Disordered Attitudes and Behaviors in Females: A
Review of Effects and Processes', Media Psychology, 13, 4, pp. 387-416,
Communication & Mass Media Complete, EBSCOhost,
McCabe, J 2009, 'Resisting
Alienation: The Social Construction of Internet Communities Supporting Eating
Disorders', Communication Studies, 60, 1, pp. 1-16, Communication &
Mass Media Complete, EBSCOhost
McKee, A 2001, 'A beginner's guide to TEXTUAL ANALYSIS', Metro, 127/128, p. 138,
Communication & Mass Media Complete, EBSCOhost
Nedc.com.au, (2014). Eating Disorders in
Australia. [online] Available at: http://www.nedc.com.au/eating-disorders-in-australia
[Accessed 7 Sep. 2014].
Vpfunworld.com, (2014). funny meme pictures
for instagram | Funny Pictures tumblr quotes Captions. [online] Available
at: http://www.vpfunworld.com/funny-meme-pictures-for-instagram/ [Accessed 7
Sep. 2014].
quickmeme, (2014). Please tell me why you
follow me on instagram But Don't like any of my pictures. [online]
Available at: http://www.quickmeme.com/meme/3qx4uk [Accessed 7 Sep. 2014].
