Thin-stagram

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? 

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, 10^th 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].