Chapter 1: The Early Years

In 2016, as I prepared to embark on my freshman year of high school, my parents imposed a rule that I could not have social media. This decision ignited a wave of anger and frustration within me, fueling a sense of rebellion against them. Throughout my high school journey, I harbored resentment for their control over this part of my life.

During this period, Instagram emerged as a dominant social media platform. When meeting new people, one of the first questions was often, “What’s your Instagram? I’ll follow you!” In contrast, my response of, “Oh, I don’t have one,” was met with bewilderment.

People reacted to my answer with surprise and judgment. Queries such as “Why not?” and “How do you manage without it?” were common, often accompanied by remarks about the friendships they had built through the app. Each interaction reinforced feelings of exclusion, leaving me feeling socially inadequate and disconnected.

Hearing others discuss Instagram only heightened my sense of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). I navigated those four challenging years of high school without an Instagram account, a feat I now regard as a significant personal achievement considering the app's overwhelming popularity.

Now that I’m halfway through college, I find myself grateful for my absence from social media during high school. While it may have cost me some superficial friendships, it provided crucial insights into the often deceptive nature of online personas.

Just because someone’s Instagram feed appears flawless doesn’t mean they aren’t facing their own struggles. A person might showcase their volunteer work online while engaging in negative behaviors when they think no one is watching.

Living without an Instagram account compelled me to cultivate self-reliance and understand that a social media presence is not everything. It highlighted how many individuals allow their self-worth to hinge on their online success. Social media profiles are merely platforms for users to curate their desired identities.

High school students frequently leaned on Instagram to shape their self-image. The desire to present their best selves to the world is natural, yet the overemphasis on social media can be detrimental.

While social norms may have evolved since my high school days, just a few years ago, having an Instagram account felt like a social necessity. This should not be the case! We need to prioritize genuine connections, good intentions, and mindfulness.

If someone mentions they don’t use social media, let it be. They’ll share their reasoning if they choose. Even seemingly innocent questions can evoke feelings of exclusion and should be approached with sensitivity.

Section 1.1: The Impact of Social Media

The influence of social media on self-perception is profound and pervasive.

Subsection 1.1.1: Understanding Personal Identity

Chapter 2: Lessons Learned