Psychologists weigh in on the potential mental-health benefits of hiding likes on Instagram, the platforms latest feature.
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This isnt the first time Instagram has trialed a feature of this nature, either.
Desiring feedback is not a negative thing in and of itself, says media psychologistPamela Rutledge, PhD.
Some people, however, become preoccupied with likes, and thats when things can become less healthy.
Vogel, Rutledge, and other experts offer arguments for doing so below.
clinical psychologist, life fulfillment expert, and author ofDate Smart,Joy From Fear, andAging Joyfully
5 reasons to consider hiding likes on Instagram, according to psychologists
1.
Social comparison is a normal, instinctive behavior, she says.
All of this added up can easily net out to feelings of inferiority.
This [new feature] can be supportive for people who are working on internal validation and self-love.
Disabling it, then, may free you from its addictive holdat least to some degree.
Focusing on likes can skew the focus to what other people think about your posts, says Watson.
If you struggle with self-worth on social media, the problem likely goes beyond the digital realm.
You cant teach someone to have good self-esteem by suppressing something that might upset them, she says.
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clinical psychologist, life fulfillment expert, and author ofDate Smart,Joy From Fear, andAging Joyfully
