Young Adult Relationship Dynamics on Instagram

Between document leaks, various court cases, and pending social media legislation, the conversation on how to regulate social media companies continues to gain traction. Currently, much of this conversation revolves around the protection of social media users and the liability social media companies should face. Most recently, that has appeared in the news via a Supreme Court ruling on social media platforms' liability for algorithmic suggested content, as well as budding legislation around the protection of younger social media users.

This study contributes to this conversation by looking at the user protection aspect of it. Using 18 to 22-year-old, American Instagram users as the study population, the study investigates how to limit negative platform effects for such users, and consequently, better their overall, user experience. Utilizing an anthropological identity framework, the study primarily focuses on the platform-user relationship dynamic as a means of solving this problem. The study of this dynamic is approached via a general survey, a series of initial interviews, a journaling and intervention period, and a series of exit interviews.

Ultimately, the study recommends two Instagram specific policies and one federal level policy to better the overall user experience. These recommendations pertain to time cognizance and control, customization of the user interface, and the guidance of online conduct.