[emtel]

Hysteria. Do you know any teenagers? I have a teenage daughter. She's not on instagram, but most of her friends are. They have rich, full lives, are engaged at school, spend tons of time together in person, play sports, decorate each other's lockers on birthdays, etc.

Is instagram a net negative? Maybe. Are they zombies? No.

[tardo99]

I realize the plural of "anecdote" is not "data," but more than once I've watched 20-something women spend hours on end swiping through Instagram and commenting on photos. One particular time I sat on a train in Europe for 4 hours while a woman did that the entire time. Wall to wall. I respect the fact that you have countervailing experiences, but I do think you're underestimating the negative impact here.

[jarjoura]

Meh, just a decade ago those same women would have been flipping through Vogue and Cosmo. Media has always been a net negative for female body issues and relationships. At least with Instagram for the first time, they can chose to follow more enlightening things. Also seems far more empowering to allow comments on photos.

[pas]

Some people spend that much time reading books printed on deas trees. Is that better?