In a world where social media platforms are constantly evolving, Instagram Notes has quickly become a space for users to share their thoughts in bite-sized 60-character updates that vanish in 24 hours. Resting at the top of the direct messages screen, Instagram’s latest feature, Notes, invites users to broadcast quick, impulsive ideas to their followers, fostering an environment of strikingly unfiltered sharing.
Upon first glance, it’s a seemingly innocent feature designed for connection. However, under the surface, Instagram Notes may hold the power to usher in a new age of digital narcissism — an age with consequences that we are only beginning to understand.
For years, older generations have warned that our smartphones are “rotting our brains,” a sentiment dismissed by many young users. Yet, as evidence mounts showing the harmful effects of constant social media engagement, it becomes clear that maybe they had a point.
Dr. Jean Twenge, a psychologist and author of iGen, dedicates much of her research to studying the relationship between social media and narcissistic tendencies among young people. In her findings, she documents a significant rise in narcissistic traits in Gen Z, which she believes coincides with the increasing dominance of platforms like Instagram. According to Dr. Twenge, the constant need for validation and attention on social media acts as a catalyst for narcissistic behaviors, especially for younger users who are still shaping their self-image.
Twenge’s research relies heavily on self-reported surveys, meaning the rise in narcissism among young people could be even more severe than documented. Youths, after all, might be inclined to underreport tendencies that could be perceived as egotistical. Furthermore, Instagram Notes, a platform designed for impulse-driven, attention-seeking communication, has the potential to exacerbate narcissism to levels never seen before.
Why would something as seemingly benign as Instagram Notes reinforce narcissistic tendencies? Consider the design: these updates are brief and fleeting, often written with the intent to stand out in a sea of similar notes. When users post to Instagram Notes, they broadcast inner monologues, funny musings, or inside jokes to their followers, who can either engage with them or ignore them.
This setup mirrors what psychologists call “feedback loops,” where continuous attention and feedback create a sense of dependence on external validation.
The science behind this behavior lies in the brain’s reward system. Each reaction to a Note — a reply, comment, or like — stimulates the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter tied to pleasure and reward. These micro-interactions, even if fleeting, encourage users to return for more validation. Over time, the need for these dopamine hits can fuel narcissistic tendencies as users start seeking constant attention and approval from their peers.
Another aspect of Instagram Notes, and social media as a whole, is the ability to present a highly curated or even fabricated identity. Social media encourages self-presentation, and Notes, with their 24-hour cycle, intensifies this aspect.
With a mere few words, users can project an exaggerated version of themselves — cooler, wittier, or more introspective than they may be in real life. This identity transformation is particularly enticing for teenagers, who are often driven by a desire to fit in and be accepted.
Research published in Computers in Human Behavior reveals that frequent Instagram users report higher levels of vanity, exhibitionism, and self-centered behavior than those who use the platform less. With Notes, where low-effort updates require minimal investment yet can yield quick rewards, the temptation to build and maintain an idealized self is hard to resist. For some teens, these notes become tools for self-promotion rather than authentic communication, feeding into a culture of self-obsession.
For Bronx Science high school student Will Itskovich ’25, Instagram Notes is an enjoyable feature, but one with noticeable downsides. “It’s kind of addicting to see who responds or reacts to what I post,” he admits. “It gives me a quick hit of joy when someone swipes up or likes it.” This sentiment reflects the addictive nature of these micro-interactions that fuel an environment where teens find themselves subconsciously chasing validation.
On the other hand, for some users, Notes are just another layer of Instagram’s already multi-faceted platform, which includes stories, reels, and posts — all designed to form connections. Yet the more informal, less polished nature of Notes sets them apart. They allow for raw expression with just a few words and don’t require as much commitment, with no guarantee that all your followers will view it.
Research published in the Journal of Communication highlights how micro-interactions on social media, especially those focused on self-disclosure, can increase users’ focus on how others perceive them. It’s not just about what’s posted, but about how many people see it, and how they react.
Although, it must be understood that not all users view Notes as a platform for self-promotion. Bronx Science high school student Eliana Zaharopoulos ’25 sees it as a space for lighthearted banter. “I don’t post to get validation,” she said. “It’s more like an inside joke with my friends — just something lighthearted.”
However, Dr. Twenge warns that even casual engagement with social media, such as Notes, can influence how we perceive ourselves over time. The constant cycle of instant feedback encourages an ongoing awareness of how others react to our digital selves, reinforcing narcissistic behaviors even if they start innocently.
Instagram Notes isn’t an isolated feature; it’s part of a broader trend in social media where immediacy meets visibility. Platforms are increasingly designed to offer quick, fleeting updates that demand minimal commitment yet yield maximum exposure. While this setup might seem empowering, offering young people a way to connect and express themselves, it also creates a space ripe for self-destructive behaviors that may cause long-term mental health problems.
This phenomenon has sparked concern among mental health experts and lawmakers alike. In 2021, Instagram CEO Adam Mosseri testified before the Senate Commerce Committee, facing questions about the platform’s impact on young users. Mosseri claimed, “We all want teens to be safe online. The internet isn’t going away, and I believe there’s important work that we can do together, industry and policymakers, to raise the standards across the internet to better serve and protect young people.”
Yet, the same problem arose in January 2024 as Meta’s leadership faced intense criticism for its handling of child exploitation on its platforms, raising serious concerns about the company’s commitment to protecting young users. CEO Mark Zuckerberg was publicly scrutinized by senators over Meta’s alleged failure to effectively monitor and remove harmful content across its platforms, including Instagram. During the hearing, dozens of parents held up pictures of their children who had been harmed due to the platform’s negligence. Although the company has since pledged improvements in safety protocols, advocates argue that these changes are reactive rather than proactive, pointing to a recurring issue: big tech often only addresses harms in response to public backlash.
However, in response, Lawmakers cited the addictive nature of social media, questioning its role in increasing anxiety, fostering feelings of inadequacy, and harming mental health among teens. The hearing underscored the urgent need for regulatory measures to protect vulnerable users navigating the digital landscape.
To address these concerns, Instagram has implemented several features aimed at creating a safer online environment, such as parental controls and content restrictions for younger users. By blocking certain graphics or concerning material from young audiences, Instagram hopes to prevent further corruption of the minds of the youth.
Despite this progress, the challenge of regulating social media remains daunting. The rapid pace of technological advancements and the global reach of these platforms make it difficult to apply consistent oversight. Social media trends evolve so quickly that regulations often struggle to keep up, leaving vulnerable users exposed to new risks that arise with each new feature.
This regulatory gap is particularly concerning when considering the psychological effects of social media on young users. As platforms continue to innovate, mental health advocates call for more proactive approaches to prevent features like Instagram Notes from becoming avenues for excessive self-focus and validation-seeking behavior.
So, is Instagram Notes a tool solely for connection, or does it signal the rise of a new era of digital narcissism? While a direct correlation between Instagram Notes and increased narcissistic tendencies has not yet been confirmed, the feature undeniably encourages impulsive sharing, instant validation, and self-centered engagement. In the rush for quick dopamine hits, many users may unwittingly find themselves feeding into a culture of constant self-promotion.
For young people especially, there is a unique need for mindfulness in how they engage with platforms that may encourage the pursuit of attention and validation. Without this awareness, we might be witnessing the birth of the 21st century’s latest dopamine addiction, subtly reshaping self-image and social dynamics in ways we are only beginning to grasp.
“It’s kind of addicting to see who responds or reacts to what I post,” said Bronx Science high school student Will Itskovich ’25. “It gives me a quick hit of joy when someone swipes up or likes it.”