The Impact of Instagram on Language Processing and Psychological Development
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56910/pustaka.v6i4.4012Keywords:
Digital Comunication, Instagram, Language Processing, Literature Review, Psychological DevelopmentAbstract
Instagram has become a digital communication space that influences how individuals use language, construct identity, and interact with their social environments. This phenomenon is relevant to contemporary social and educational contexts because communication on Instagram involves not only text but also images, videos, emojis, and social responses that may be associated with meaning-making processes and users’ psychological development. This study aims to examine the relationship between Instagram use, language processing, and psychological development through a qualitative literature-based approach. Data were obtained through document analysis of journal articles and scholarly publications addressing digital communication, language practices, self-identity, social comparison, and psychological well-being. Since the study did not involve direct interviews or observations, it included neither participants nor primary experiential data; instead, the analysis was conducted through thematic synthesis of relevant literature. The findings indicate three main patterns: changes in language processing through multimodal communication and informal language use; identity construction through self-presentation and social comparison; and an ambivalent relationship between Instagram use and psychological experiences, encompassing opportunities for social support as well as the possibility of social pressure or self-dissatisfaction. The study adopts Sociocultural Theory as its primary theoretical foundation, with Social Comparison Theory and Social Cognitive Theory serving as supporting perspectives. Theoretically, the study highlights the importance of understanding language and psychological development as interconnected processes within digital environments. Practically, the findings may support the development of digital literacy and educational practices that encourage contextual communication, critical reflection, and healthy online interaction.
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