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Between Filter and Reality: Exploring the #InstagramVsReality Trend
Join us for a guest talk in "Digital Tools, Digital Humanities" with Meaghan Furlano and Dr. Kaitlynn Mendes from the GEMS Research Lab!
In the mid-2010s, a new body trend emerged on social media called #InstagramVsReality. Contributors uploaded side-by-side photos: an idealized “Instagram” depiction of their bodies contrasted with a more “realistic” portrayal. Given the growing influence of social media on body image, mental health, and the spread of mis/disinformation, we asked:
- Who participates in this trend?
- What does #InstagramVsReality reveal about contemporary body culture?
- What do contributors say about the trend?
- Where does #InstagramVsReality fit in relation to broader movements such as feminism, body-positivity, and media literacy?
Our qualitative analysis of 150 posts indicates that, although the trend claims to challenge narrow and unrealistic beauty standards, it nevertheless privileges and makes visible young, slim, conventionally attractive white women at the expense of more diverse body types, ages, and non-normative beauty standards. We argue that #InstagramVsReality is more closely aligned with popular feminist campaigns that promote neoliberal media literacy and individual psychic work rather than advocating for structural transformation. We conclude by thinking through media literacy and algorithmic rankings to combat social issues, especially at a time when AI-generated imagery is becoming increasingly prevalent and misinformation campaigns are rampant.
The GEMS Research Lab brings together scholars and students interested in topics around gender, equity, media, and society.
Dr. Kaitlynn Mendes is a Full Professor of Sociology at Western University and holds the Canada Research Chair in Inequality and Gender. She is an expert on rape culture, digital feminist activism, and tech-facilitated sexual violence including sextortion, online harassment, image based-sexual abuse, and deepfakes. Kaitlynn has spent considerable time turning her research findings into resources, policies, and educational materials. Insights from her research have been used to inform policies, practices, and public understanding on contemporary gender inequalities in Canada, the UK, Australia, and Europe. Kaitlynn is the Principal Investigator on 5-year project DIY: Digital Safety. She also recently contributed to this Toronto Star article on Instagram's use of AI in locating Canadian teens who have signed up for adult accounts.
Meaghan Furlano is a PhD student in Sociology at Western University. As a feminist media and cultural studies scholar, Meaghan’s research interests include gender inequality, feminism, neoliberalism, body culture, social media, antifeminism, AI, menstruation, and qualitative research.Meaghan has received a Canada Graduate Scholarship–Master's and currently holds an Ontario Graduate Scholarship. In addition to managing GEMS, Meaghan works as a teaching assistant and research assistant.
