This article provides an in-depth analysis of the motives and patterns of Instagram use among a sample of Belgian and Peruvian youths. 19 participants aged 18–28 underwent in-depth interviews to assess what Instagram means to them, why and how they use it, and what consequences of their use they perceive. The most recurrent motivations for using Instagram were self-expression, curiosity, documenting, entertainment, and connection. Five distinctive usage patterns were identified: urge and craving, passive use, anxious posting, social approval, and social comparison. The perceived consequences include an increased connection to others, the rise of “Instagram-worthy” content pursuit, issues with time management, a compulsive urge to enter, and constant comparison. Since Instagram relies mainly on visuals, poses questions about authenticity, identity, and self-presentation, and elicits strong emotional reactions from its users, it fosters social comparison, which may be harmful to youth’s views on themselves, their self-esteem, and their self-worth.

本文深入分析了比利时和秘鲁青年样本中使用 Instagram 的动机和模式。19 名 18-28 岁的参与者接受了深入访谈，以评估 Instagram 对他们的意义、他们使用它的原因和方式，以及他们认为使用它的后果是什么。使用 Instagram 最常见的动机是自我表达、好奇心、记录、娱乐和联系。确定了五种不同的使用模式：冲动和渴望、被动使用、焦虑发布、社会认可和社会比较。感知到的后果包括与他人的联系增加，“ Instagram-worthy ”的兴起” 内容追求、时间管理问题、进入的冲动和不断的比较。由于 Instagram 主要依靠视觉，提出关于真实性、身份和自我展示的问题，并引起用户强烈的情感反应，因此它促进了社会比较，这可能会损害年轻人对自己的看法、自尊和他们的自我价值。