Decoding Instagram Use: The Impact of Content Engagement and Individual Differences on Young Adults’ Well-Being

Young adults increasingly rely on social media platforms for connection and engagement with both private circles and public personas. Instagram, in particular, enables diverse interactions while exposing users to content from many sources. This three-wave longitudinal study examines how different types of Instagram engagement influence psychological and physical well-being. We test whether steering users toward quality content or reducing harmful exposure—together with harm-prevention strategies such as reporting cyber-bullying—improves well-being over time.