How Instagram Changed Women Forever

Summary

This script delves into the influence of social media, particularly Instagram, on the booming cosmetic surgery industry. It highlights the 'Barbie Botox' trend and how platforms shape beauty standards, leading to a quest for unattainable perfection. The narrative explores Instagram's origins, the Kardashians' impact, and the psychological effects of curated online images, culminating in a cultural shift towards conformity and away from individualism, with a warning of a potential 'Instagram face' future.

Takeaways

• 😲 The 'Barbie Botox' trend, inspired by the movie 'Barbie', involves neck injections to create a longer neck look, despite the risks involved.
• 📈 The plastic surgery industry has seen a surge due to social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, where cosmetic procedures are often promoted by celebrities and influencers.
• 🚀 Instagram's rapid growth is attributed to its founders, Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, who initially wanted a visual communication platform, leading to revolutionary photo filters.
• 💡 The success of Instagram was further propelled by its acquisition by Facebook, which provided the necessary infrastructure and investment to scale the app.
• 🛑 Concerns about privacy and data security have been raised as Instagram's business model began to mirror Facebook's data-driven advertising approach.
• 👽 The 'Instagram face' has emerged as a new beauty standard, characterized by full lips, sharp cheekbones, and edited perfection, influencing people to seek cosmetic surgery to achieve this look.
• 📉 The departure of Instagram's founders in 2018 marked a shift towards more aggressive engagement tactics by Facebook, potentially exacerbating societal issues related to self-image and body dysmorphia.
• 📚 The influence of celebrities like the Kardashians has been significant in shaping beauty standards and promoting cosmetic procedures, impacting the plastic surgery industry.
• 🔍 The rise of 'preventative' plastic surgery among young people and teenagers reflects the impact of social media on self-image and the desire to conform to unrealistic beauty standards.
• 🌐 The global impact of Instagram's beauty standards is evident in the increase in cosmetic procedures worldwide, with South Korea and China experiencing significant growth in the industry.
• 🚫 The script suggests a critical view of Instagram's role in promoting artificial beauty standards, advocating for disconnecting from these influences to appreciate natural beauty.

Q & A

What is the 'Barbie Botox' trend mentioned in the script?

The 'Barbie Botox' trend refers to a cosmetic procedure that involves a series of injections into the trapezius muscles in the neck, which renders them unable to contract, thus lowering the shoulders and making the neck appear slightly longer. It gained popularity on Instagram following the release of a film, despite the risks of muscle paralysis and severe pain.

How has social media, particularly Instagram, influenced the plastic surgery industry?

Social media platforms like Instagram have significantly influenced the plastic surgery industry by promoting certain beauty standards and procedures. The visibility of celebrities and influencers undergoing and promoting these procedures has led to a surge in demand, with young, impressionable audiences being particularly susceptible to these trends.

Who are the founders of Instagram, and what was their initial vision for the app?

The founders of Instagram are Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger. They initially envisioned Instagram as a way to communicate visually, allowing users to share photos that captured moments in time and expressed something about their experiences.

What challenges did Kevin and Mike face in the early days of Instagram?

In the early days of Instagram, Kevin and Mike faced challenges such as securing funding, scaling the infrastructure to handle a rapid influx of users, and maintaining the app's functionality amidst backend issues. They also had to sacrifice personal time and resources to keep the app afloat.

How did Instagram's acquisition by Facebook impact its growth and direction?

Instagram's acquisition by Facebook led to an explosion in popularity and user base, but it also introduced changes to the app's data practices, advertising, and business model. Over time, this resulted in a shift away from the founders' original principles and towards a more engagement-driven, algorithmic approach that prioritized certain content over others.

What role did the Kardashian family play in shaping modern beauty standards and the rise of plastic surgery?

The Kardashian family played a significant role in shaping modern beauty standards by promoting an image of 'perfect' beauty that was heavily influenced by cosmetic procedures, makeup, and professional photography. Their influence contributed to the rise of plastic surgery as they became a symbol of the attainable ideal of beauty.

What are some of the risks associated with the 'Brazilian butt lift' procedure mentioned in the script?

The 'Brazilian butt lift' procedure carries several risks, including infections, the need for additional surgeries to remove implants, and potential embolisms if fat enters the bloodstream. In some cases, this procedure can be fatal, leading to a temporary ban in the UK in 2018.

How has Instagram's algorithm contributed to the promotion of certain beauty standards?

Instagram's algorithm contributes to the promotion of certain beauty standards by prioritizing content that it predicts users will engage with the most. This often leads to the amplification of posts that adhere to popular beauty ideals, creating a feedback loop that reinforces these standards.

What is the 'Instagram face' and how has it influenced the perception of beauty?

The 'Instagram face' is characterized by features such as perfect skin, full lips, sharp cheekbones, and long eyelashes, often achieved through surgery, Botox, and Photoshop. It has influenced the perception of beauty by setting an unrealistic standard that many people aspire to, leading to increased rates of cosmetic procedures.

How does the script suggest that the rise of plastic surgery among young people is linked to social media?

The script suggests that the rise of plastic surgery among young people is linked to social media by highlighting the impact of platforms like Instagram on self-image and body dysmorphia. The constant exposure to unrealistic beauty standards and the pressure to conform to these ideals have led to a greater desire for cosmetic procedures among the younger generation.

What are some of the potential long-term consequences of pursuing cosmetic procedures to achieve the 'Instagram face'?

The potential long-term consequences of pursuing cosmetic procedures to achieve the 'Instagram face' include regret, the need for additional procedures to maintain the look, and the possibility of irreversible damage to one's natural appearance. There is also the risk of physical complications from surgeries and the psychological impact of chasing an ever-changing beauty standard.