My classmates and I were recently asked to identify a lack in media literacy and imagine some sort of implementation to bridge that gap. Here’s what my group noticed: currently, there is no education to prepare young girls — or anyone for that matter — for the pressures of social media. So, we chose to address the issue with an imagined program called “Instagram versus Reality”: #IGVReality!
It’s easy to look at social media and imagine a perfect world. You feel the pressure of wanting to be as thin as a VS Angel, be as beautiful as the women who grace the cover of Vogue and live a life as adventurous as all the gorgeous ladies who pop up in your feed! While no one single person is at fault for the creation of “Instagram world,” I’m sure we can all admit we post only the best of the best on our social media. It’s rare to see someone post their no-makeup, sweaty selfies from the gym, or photos with bags under their eyes and with hair in a messy bun after an entire night exam cramming.
The idea of the campaign is not to post photos in which you don’t feel your best; the idea is to acknowledge the fact that we all have insecurities. The goal is to change the narrative on social media and create a space where young people understand that, although everyone wants to be “perfect, that “perfection” is unattainable — and that’s okay!
Here’s how you can be a part of the movement — and it’s easy:
- Post two photos on Instagram. The first photo being the picture you would ideally share on Instagram, and the second being the reality behind the photo: the great angle versus the not so great angle, the family picture that hangs on the wall versus the reality of what taking a family photo looks like.
- Post one photo on Instagram, and share the story behind it. This can be a funny story about the judgmental looks you received from the person sitting next to you as you take 25 selfies, or the raw emotions behind a photo.
Nominate your friends and encourage them to share their “Instagram versus Reality”! And of course, use #IGVReality!
Read more about it at @skylar_witte, and join the movement to support positivity and empowerment!!