Omaha teens mental health impacted by Instagram usage – WOWT

OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – A recent study conducted by Facebook shows that teen usage of Instagram can lead to insecurity and a negative focus on their physical appearance.Since the release of the study, Instagram says it’s looking for new ways to discourage users from browsing content that may negatively impact them.Teens in Omaha aren’t immune to these effects either, says CHI Health Mental Health Therapist Tim Hron.“What we’re seeing in our outpatient clinics, and to be honest in all of our treatment programs, we’re seeing increased depression, anxiety, it’s really effecting teens self-esteem, their confidence, their body image, how they view themselves,” said Hron.The study shows that teen girls are more impacted by social media usage than teen boys, and Hron says it’s likely because girls tend to be more sensitive and serious when it comes to their body image, but that it’s not necessarily their fault.“Because the images out there, our society socializes that girls have to look a certain way, and when you’re seeing filters that are making these images on social media almost seem perfect, that’s not real, but in a young girl’s mind, to them it is real,” said Hron.“And young people, they don’t always have…
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