Reflective Blog – Part A: Understanding My Media Use Through

Instagram

Welcome to my blog! In this post, I’ll be reflecting on my media use over the past
term, particularly on how Instagram shaped my habits, thoughts, and identity. By
applying key concepts from our Media, Communication and Society module, I’ll
explore both the positive and negative impacts of my daily media habits.
Over the past term, Instagram has been my main source of media engagement. I
spent around two hours a week scrolling through content, mostly related to
news, memes, celebrity updates, fashion trends, music clips, and dance reels.
Although that may seem like a modest amount of time, these short daily
interactions had a notable impact on how I stayed informed, relaxed, and socially
connected.
What I found most surprising about my own media use was how naturally
Instagram fit into my day, often while commuting, waiting, or winding down
before bed. I didn’t consciously “schedule” media time, but it crept in regularly
as a default activity. Looking back through the media diary I kept during the
term, I began noticing patterns in my consumption: I tended to start with memes
or entertainment, and then often found myself deep in a reel related to fashion
or music trends.
When I think about why I turn to Instagram, the uses and gratifications theory
comes to mind. Blumler and Katz (1974) suggest that people choose different
types of media to satisfy various personal needs—whether it’s to learn new
information, relax, connect with others, or explore their own identity. Instagram
met all these needs for me: it was a source of news, a way to unwind with funny
posts, and a place where I discovered style and music trends through influencers.
The platform’s quick and visual nature suited my daily routine well.
When we went over different theories in class, one that really got me thinking
differently about media was Stuart Hall’s work from 1980. He argued that people
don’t all take in messages the same way — how someone understands a
message depends a lot on their personal background and viewpoint. Hall argued
that media messages are encoded by producers with intended meanings, but
audiences actively interpret and sometimes resist those meanings. I noticed this
especially when consuming celebrity posts or fashion content. For example, while
influencers often portray ideal lifestyles or brand partnerships as “authentic,” I
sometimes questioned the realism or motivation behind the posts — a moment
where I actively decoded the message in a negotiated or even oppositional way.
One good thing about using Instagram was that it exposed me to topics and
voices I might not have looked for on my own — such as global social
movements or up-and-coming musicians. It also helped me feel in touch with
popular culture without needing to read lengthy articles or watch traditional TV.
These moments of casual learning show how media can blur the line between
entertainment and education in the digital age.
However, not all of my experiences with Instagram were positive. I thought I’d
just take a quick peek at the app, but I often got caught up and lost track of time
for about half an hour. This behaviour aligns with discussions in class about
media saturation and how digital platforms are designed to capture and hold
attention through endless content loops and algorithmic targeting. The addictive
nature of social media is not accidental — it reflects broader concerns about the
attention economy and the commodification of user engagement (Fuchs, 2014).
Although I found helpful information or inspiration at times, it was mixed with
lots of unrelated or repetitive posts that made it hard to concentrate.
Another downside was exposure to misinformation and disinformation. While
Instagram gave me fast access to news, it wasn't always accurate. I came across
stories shared through Instagram “news pages” or influencers that lacked
verification. This problem connects to broader concerns about the credibility of
digital media, where traditional journalistic gatekeeping is often absent. We
explored this in class through discussions of media trust and the role of platforms
in amplifying false narratives, particularly during global crises or political events.
Coming across unverified information made me more careful about what I
believe, but I also noticed how quickly misleading ideas can slip in without us
even noticing. On an emotional level, Instagram affected me in different ways.
Sometimes, it helped me feel connected by showing updates from friends or
popular trends. But sometimes, viewing flawless, carefully crafted posts made
me doubt myself and feel unsure. This connects with discussions around media
representation and identity. Theorists like Goffman (1959) describe social media
as a kind of stage where individuals, including me, manage how they appear to
others. This made me wonder: am I creating my own identity, or is Instagram
doing it for me? Throughout the term, I grew more conscious of how my time on
social media affected my thoughts, emotions, and interactions with the world
around me. I began to apply Hall’s theory of representation (Hall, 1997), which
argues that media not only reflects reality but actively constructs it. For example,
the representation of fashion norms and social issues on Instagram prompted me
to critically consider which groups are featured in these stories and which are
excluded. I noticed that most of what I saw came from Western influencers and
fashion pages, which meant I wasn’t exposed to many diverse or local voices.
This realisation led me to intentionally diversify the content I engaged with.
Looking back on how I used Instagram this term, I’ve come to see that media
doesn’t just pass through me, it quietly influences who I am over time. I now see
media as a space of both opportunity and risk: it can inform and connect, but it
can also distract, distort, and influence without me realising. From now on, I
intend to approach media more thoughtfully by looking for trustworthy sources,
following a wider range of content, and taking breaks to prevent mindless
scrolling.

Reference List:
Blumler, J.G. and Katz, E., 1974. The uses of mass communications: Current
perspectives on gratifications research. Beverly Hills: Sage.
Fuchs, C., 2014. Social media: A critical introduction. London: SAGE Publications.
Goffman, E., 1959. The presentation of self in everyday life. New York: Anchor
Books.
Hall, S., 1980. Encoding/decoding. In: Hall, S., Hobson, D., Lowe, A. and Willis, P.,
eds. Culture, media, language. London: Hutchinson, pp.128–138.
Hall, S., 1997. Representation: Cultural representations and signifying practices.
London: Sage in association with The Open University.