Sample Solution

The impact of social media on user behavior has been an increasingly discussed topic in recent years – particularly with regards to platforms such as Instagram. A case study by Sandnas et al. (2020) explored how this platform can affect individuals’ actions, feelings and thoughts through various psychological mechanisms. Through their research the authors identified several phenomena that could explain why users might be drawn towards certain activities or posts; including a need for connection, validation or even anxiety reduction (Sandnas et al., 2020). Additionally, these motivations were found to be heavily driven by the level of engagement generated from a post which encouraged greater use among followers (Sandnas et al., 2020).

This study serves as an important reminder that although social media offers many benefits there are also potential risks associated with its usage. People should remain aware of the power these applications have over our lives and recognize when certain activities become too time-consuming or addictive; something especially relevant given how easy it is to quickly scroll through hundreds of posts each day (Sandnas et al., 2020). Ultimately, understanding the effects social media has on us can help create more conscious interactions between users and their online communities thereby allowing them lead healthier digital lives.