Visual Culture in Social Media: A Study on the Influence of Instagram on Aesthetics and Youth Culture Trends

Fauzi Eka Putra; Pepy  Afrilian

doi:10.63919/ajmc.v1i1.18

Authors

Fauzi Eka Putra Universitas Islam Negeri Syech Djamil Djambek Bukittinggi, Indonesia
Pepy Afrilian Ural Federal University, Rusia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63919/ajmc.v1i1.18

Keywords:

Visual Culture, Social Media, Instagram, and Youth Culture

Abstract

This study examines the influence of visual aesthetics on Instagram in shaping social identity and user behavior, with a focus on how the visual standards on this platform affect how individuals express themselves. Using a literature review method, this research gathers and analyzes various relevant sources, including academic articles, journals, and previous research reports, to explore the impact of visual aesthetics on Instagram users. The main findings of this study show that the visual aesthetics on Instagram, which often create idealized representations of the self, play a significant role in the formation of individual social identity. Users, especially younger ones, are frequently influenced by the beauty standards and lifestyles promoted by influencers, reinforcing the tendency to compare themselves with more "perfect" images. This can negatively impact mental health, such as increasing anxiety and body dissatisfaction. However, this research also finds that the platform offers space for more inclusive self-expression, particularly for marginalized groups, such as the LGBTQ+ community and specific ethnic groups, who use Instagram to showcase their cultural identities. This study highlights the importance of awareness of the influence of visual aesthetics on social media in shaping self-perception and social relationships, as well as the need for a more sensitive approach to diversity in the use of digital platforms

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Abidin, C. (2021). From “Networked Publics” to “Refracted Publics”: A Companion Framework for Researching “Below the Radar” Studies. Social Media + Society, 7(1), 2056305120984458. https://doi.org/10.1177/2056305120984458

Alimuddin, N., & Latepo, I. (2021). A Study of University Students’ Communication Behavior in Social Media from Theory of Uses and Gratification. Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Studies, 3(11), 122–132. https://doi.org/10.32996/jhsss.2021.1.4.11

Athifah Chairunnisah & Lilawati Kurnia. (2023). Hustle Culture in Social Media: Exploring the Imagined Success in the Modern Era. Athena: Journal of Social, Culture and Society, 1(4), 180–191. https://doi.org/10.58905/athena.v1i4.151

Baulch, E., & Pramiyanti, A. (2018). Hijabers on Instagram: Using Visual Social Media to Construct the Ideal Muslim Woman. Social Media + Society, 4(4), 2056305118800308. https://doi.org/10.1177/2056305118800308

Caldeira, S. P. (2021). “It’s Not Just Instagram Models”: Exploring the Gendered Political Potential of Young Women’s Instagram Use. Media and Communication, 9(2), 5–15. https://doi.org/10.17645/mac.v9i2.3731

Carlson, B., & Kennedy, T. (2021). Us Mob Online: The Perils of Identifying as Indigenous on Social Media. Genealogy, 5(2), 52. https://doi.org/10.3390/genealogy5020052

Cauberghe, V., Van Wesenbeeck, I., De Jans, S., Hudders, L., & Ponnet, K. (2021). How Adolescents Use Social Media to Cope with Feelings of Loneliness and Anxiety During COVID-19 Lockdown. Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 24(4), 250–257. https://doi.org/10.1089/cyber.2020.0478

Cruz, J. P. O., Passaro, L. C., Almeida, J. M., & Marques-Neto, H. T. (2024). Characterizing Fashion Influencers’ Behavior on Instagram. In Review. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4510897/v1

Ferrari, E. (2016). Social media for the 99%? Rethinking social movements’ identity and strategy in the corporate web 2.0. Communication and the Public, 1(2), 143–158. https://doi.org/10.1177/2057047316642608

Goehring, D. L. (2019). Muslim Women on the Internet: Social Media as Sites of Identity Formation. Journal of South Asian and Middle Eastern Studies, 42(3), 20–34. https://doi.org/10.1353/jsa.2019.0018

Harris, E., & Bardey, A. C. (2019). Do Instagram Profiles Accurately Portray Personality? An Investigation Into Idealized Online Self-Presentation. Frontiers in Psychology, 10, 871. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00871

Ibáñez-Sánchez, S., Flavián, M., Casaló, L. V., & Belanche, D. (2022). Influencers and Brands Successful Collaborations: A Mutual Reinforcement to Promote Products and Services on Social Media. Journal of Marketing Communications, 28(5), 469–486. https://doi.org/10.1080/13527266.2021.1929410

Jeyanthi, M. (2022). Social Media and Identity Formation – The Influence of Self-Presentation and Social Comparison. Mind and Society, 11(02), 138–144. https://doi.org/10.56011/mind-mri-112-202216

Khamis, S., Ang, L., & Welling, R. (2017). Self-Branding, ‘Micro-Celebrity’ and the Rise of Social Media Influencers. Celebrity Studies, 8(2), 191–208. https://doi.org/10.1080/19392397.2016.1218292

Khan, S. W., & Raza, Dr. S. (2024). Luxury Brands and Social Media Drivers and Outcomes of Consumer Engagement on Instagram. iRAPA International Journal of Business Studies, 1(1), 01–17. https://doi.org/10.48112/iijbs.v1i1.776

Kusumasondjaja, S. (2018). The Roles of Message Appeals and Orientation on Social Media Brand Communication Effectiveness: Evidence from Indonesia. Asia Pacific Journal of Marketing and Logistics, 30(4), 1135–1158. https://doi.org/10.1108/APJML-10-2017-0267

Lai, C. (2019). The Influence of Extramural Access to Mainstream Culture Social Media on Ethnic Minority Students’ Motivation for Language Learning. British Journal of Educational Technology, 50(4), 1929–1941. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjet.12693

Leaver, T., & Highfield, T. (2018). Visualizing the Ends of Identity: Pre-Birth and Post-Death on Instagram. Information, Communication & Society, 21(1), 30–45. https://doi.org/10.1080/1369118X.2016.1259343

Maitri, W. S., Suherlan, S., Prakosos, R. D. Y., Subagja, A. D., & Almaududi Ausat, A. M. (2023). Recent Trends in Social Media Marketing Strategy. Jurnal Minfo Polgan, 12(1), 842–850. https://doi.org/10.33395/jmp.v12i1.12517

Muturi, H. (2024). Impact of Social Media on Fashion Trends and Consumer Behavior in Kenya. International Journal of Fashion and Design, 3(1), 24–36. https://doi.org/10.47604/ijfd.2386

Pop, R.-A., S?pl?can, Z., & Alt, M.-A. (2020). Social Media Goes Green—The Impact of Social Media on Green Cosmetics Purchase Motivation and Intention. Information, 11(9), 447. https://doi.org/10.3390/info11090447

Purnama, D. H., Ernalida, & Arianti, Y. (2024). Construction and Deconstruction of Self-Identity of Palembang Adolescents on Instagram. Revista de Gestão Social e Ambiental, 18(8), e05295. https://doi.org/10.24857/rgsa.v18n8-114

Putikadyanto, A. P. A., Adriana, I., & Efendi, A. N. (2021). Presentation Culture in the Digital Age: Online Identity Representation on Social Media. International Congress of Indonesian Linguistics Society (KIMLI 2021), Makassar, Indonesia. https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.211226.011

Rhee, B., Pianzola, F., & Choi, G. (2021). Analyzing the Museum Experience Through the Lens of Instagram Posts. Curator: The Museum Journal, 64(3), 529–547. https://doi.org/10.1111/cura.12414

Rosa, F. R., & Soto-Vásquez, A. D. (2022). Aesthetics of Otherness: Representation of #migrantcaravan and #caravanamigrante on Instagram. Social Media + Society, 8(1), 20563051221087623. https://doi.org/10.1177/20563051221087623

Sitompul, L. U., Noviani, F., & Sembiring, S. (2023). Constructing Self-Identity Through Social Media: In the Perspective of Gen Z. Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Law, Social Sciences and Education, ICLSSE 2023, 1st June 2023, Singaraja, Bali, Indonesia. https://doi.org/10.4108/eai.1-6-2023.2341418

Sumarah, D. J., Pawito, P., & Naini, A. M. I. (2023). Engagement Declining on Indonesian Customs Instagram: A Content Analysis of Visual Factor. Journal of Social and Political Sciences, 6(1). https://doi.org/10.31014/aior.1991.06.01.395

Tabak, C. (2023). The Effect of Music in Social Media Content Production. Social Mentality and Researcher Thinkers Journal, 76(76), 4793–4803. https://doi.org/10.29228/smryj.72953

Valentini, C., Romenti, S., Murtarelli, G., & Pizzetti, M. (2018). Digital Visual Engagement: Influencing Purchase Intentions on Instagram. Journal of Communication Management, 22(4), 362–381. https://doi.org/10.1108/JCOM-01-2018-0005

Wilska, T.-A., Holkkola, M., & Tuominen, J. (2023). The Role of Social Media in the Creation of Young People’s Consumer Identities. Sage Open, 13(2), 21582440231177030. https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440231177030