The number of likes on Instagram has an incredible influence over teens and young adults today in a way that is not always positive. By taking away the number of likes, the mental health of social media users will significantly improve.

The fact that Instagram has taken action to address one of the negative impacts of social media in the United States is incredibly important because they’re taking a step toward improving the mental health of avid social media users. The amount of people who have become increasingly depressed and self-conscious due to their comparisons to others and concern for their popularity on social media is unacceptable. 

According to Healthline Media, 77% of all Americans have social media, and studies have shown there’s a positive correlation between social media and depression, anxiety, inattention, poorer sleep quality and lower self-esteem. 

Eliminating the number of likes bars Instagram users from comparing themselves to others, as well as increases their ability to focus on themselves and their own posts. By only being able to see their own numbers, users will have the potential to feel a greater sense of self-worth considering they won’t be focused on how others are perceiving them based on the number of likes they receive.

Although you won’t have the ability to see the number of likes on other users’ posts, you will still be able to see who has liked the photo, so this change doesn’t completely alter people’s Instagram experience. Simply taking away the number of likes doesn’t have a huge impact on how users browse their feed, but it has an enormous impact on mental stability and self-confidence.

It’s an amazing step in the right direction in regards to the fact that Instagram has taken into account their users’ mental health and has taken action toward giving users a healthier experience. By removing the number of likes on popular social media sites, Instagram has the potential to reduce the rate of mental illness, which is a change that is 100 percent worth making.