Decoding Instagram Use: The Impact of Quality Content Engagement and Harmful Content Reduction on Young Adults’ Well-Being

Young adults increasingly rely on social media platforms for connection and engagement with both private circles, including close and distant social ties, and public personas. Instagram, in particular, enables both public and private interactions while allowing users to engage with content from various resources. This three-wave longitudinal study aims to examine how different types of content engagement on Instagram influence the psychological well-being of young people. Through two content interventions, we will explore whether user-centric quality content engagement or harmful content disengagement dynamics—such as following more quality content or reducing exposure to harmful content— affect well-being over time. Our research enhances understanding of whether and how the quality of social media content can affect the psychological well-being of young adults.