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The fact that people share an idealized version of themselves on social media, cherry-picking only the best images, thoughts, and experiences isn't new. But the lengths they go to marketing themselves keep surprising even the ones who think they've seen it all.

I'm talking about r/Instagramreality. It's a subreddit whose members strip down the glamor of make-up, flattering poses, and all kinds of photo editing, and expose the truth behind the facade. It's been around since 2017, and we've written about it numerous times (here, here, and here), but even these folks still get baffled at how absurd some of these manipulations are. Here are a few reasons why.

#2

A Fairly Popular Local Influencer Recently Made An Appearance On TV. A Lot Of Her Fans Apparently Had Trouble Recognizing Her At First

A Fairly Popular Local Influencer Recently Made An Appearance On TV. A Lot Of Her Fans Apparently Had Trouble Recognizing Her At First

SwissMercyMain Report

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Klaatu Verrata (Cough)
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yikes. Filler is expensive. Always amazes me how much vain people will pay to turn themselves into literal caricatures of themselves.

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In an earlier piece on r/InstagramRealityBored Panda spoke to Siobhan Ward, a primary therapist at Life Works, a rehabilitation center that provides treatment for addictions and eating disorders, about the scope of social media addiction in the United Kingdom.

"If you broke 'social media addiction' down into categories, it would encompass other process or behavioral addictions such as porn and gambling, as well as eating disorders, especially predominant with the likes of Instagram," Ward explained. "It may be that the addiction is not with the social media itself, but the social media has become a tool of other addictions."

The therapist thinks people can't stop faking and editing their Instagram photos (even when it's an obvious lie) because of brain chemistry. "Dopamine is the neurotransmitter that comes into play with the addict — it is what tells us that we enjoy something and therefore need to do it again as it gives us pleasure."

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"If the person is taking a lot of selfies that have to be 'perfect', then maybe they are not addicts. Instead, this could be a sign of a possible narcissistic personality disorder. Also, if someone is posting pictures to get as many likes as possible, they may not be getting certain needs met in their life. They may not have the love, support, or even safety that they need now or that they needed when they grew up and therefore have had to find another way to fill that hole," Ward said.

#3

A Man, For A Change. Not Sure If Satire Or For Real. Behold, The Wall-Bending Biceps And Butt

A Man, For A Change. Not Sure If Satire Or For Real. Behold, The Wall-Bending Biceps And Butt

jueoni Report

#5

This Is Funny And All But It’s Getting Out Of Hand

This Is Funny And All But It’s Getting Out Of Hand

stonemilking Report

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Troux
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What's happening here? Is the robot not allowed to touch humans?

I' Gomez & Morticia's kid
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a trend recently going on in China tiktok where Thin or skinny people (girl) would pass by between group of people or small space to show how slim they're. Which ironically is just heavily photoshopped and not true at all.

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jammer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

”Oh no, the breeze she makes by walking past me could break me like a twig!”

Bacony Cakes
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If she was in the Eurotunnel and one of those car shuttles went past, she would become a pile of ash.

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Id row
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel sorry for people like this. They need therapy.

Martha Meyer
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is weird on so many levels. The street is wide enough to comfortably pass the other person.

LadyDelynn
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wonder why it never seems to occur to these people that other people WILL notice that they look NOTHING like what they post online?

BusLady
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I must move out of the way lest this inferior being touches me.

Lainie
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What? She looks pretty from what I can see. This girl on the left. Creature on the right - that I don't know what it was.

DKS 001
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

1) thinking being that skinny is 'beautiful', 2) if you're that skinny, why would you have to turn sideways and the lady move her arm when you went by?

J.A. Rogers
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Tell me: Do people like this actually believe other people will think this is real? Or are there people (like this) with so precious little grasp on proportion that this looks normal to them?

Rosie McLeod
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you read comments on these videos (which I sadly have had the misfortune of doing) a heck of a lot of young people think it's real "I wish I had this body", "Her genes are amazing" etc.

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Olga Dremina
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I actually can relate - i too feel sometimes i can't go through narrow ways. Esp on bicycle, but sometimes even on foot - eg between parked cars. If she's anorexic, she feels her body bigger than it is.

Lucyyy
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

SLAYY QUEEN JIAFEI😍😭😩💀💅🏻😱✨😭👄💀😩

Lisa Tetlow
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fake. Unless she had all of her internal organs removed and is still able to walk and breathe.

JD Lee
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Acting like she has to skinny through as the other girl passes is a bit much.

Kanga9ine
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why yes. My legs do go all the way up. Those skinny pins are like matchsticks. Id be afraid she'd but em sitting funny.

KLo
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait, someone really posted this to impress others???

Anton Kider
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

She's probably going to hospital since she has a eating disorder ...

Elliebean13
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is so obviously fake. How is someone supposed to think this is real.

Rachael Kennedy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Lol her arms like disappear in 2nd shot too she looks like a double amputee not to mention.sheblooks way to skinny to be real ..

Jo Choto
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The only thing that's worse is the contrived "interaction".

Deceased Nemo
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

its not physically possible to have boobs that big with a butt that skinny

v
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one doesn't even trip over into the realm of funny.

Alma Muminovic
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That just looks creepy, not good. P That girls perception is really skewed.

Rannveig Ess
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

It's a bit upsetting to see girls and women just slide right back into the sexist, media-driven, "popular""sexy" look of giant boobs on the body of a 12 year old boy. Everyone I knew decades ago fought tooth and nail to "save" women from this sexualization and unrealistic expectations. It damages people. The whole "it's what you do and who you are" thing. The movement that hated the "heroin Chic" look of underweight, sickly models. The idea that no matter how brilliant or nice or clever a women was, she still had to look cute and be desirable. When did it all just end because social media and filters and bizarre requirements - of who? - made all this the norm again? it's sad.

LucyDawson
Community Member
2 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

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LucyDawson
Community Member
2 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Stay at home mom Kelly Richards from New York after resigning from her full time job managed to average from $6000-$8000 a month from freelancing at home... This is how she done it... Www.WorkJoin1.com

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Interestingly, being reminded that social media is fake can also 'fill' us. In a 2019 study, researchers decided to investigate the effect 'Instagram vs. Reality' pictures (the ones containing side-by-side photographs of the same woman, one an idealized depiction and the other a more natural depiction) have on body image.

They got together 305 women aged between 18 and 30 years, the largest demographic group of Instagram users. The sample had a mean age of 25.34 years, and their mean body mass index (BMI) was 26.98, indicating a slightly overweight sample. The majority of participants identified as Caucasian (69.2%), followed by Latino/Hispanic (11.8%), African American (10.2%), Asian (6.6%), Native American (0.3%), and 'other' (2.0%). The participants were randomly assigned to view one of three sets of Instagram images over a period of time: 'Instagram vs. reality" images, the 'ideal' side alone, or the 'real' side alone.

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#9

In Reality, Birds Flap Their Wings When They Fly

In Reality, Birds Flap Their Wings When They Fly

_waigwe Report

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#10

Unfortunately Did Not Pass Her Photoshop Class Though

Unfortunately Did Not Pass Her Photoshop Class Though

fannywaffles Report

"[The study found that] viewing the 'Instagram vs. reality' and real images resulted in decreased body dissatisfaction relative to the ideal images," the researchers wrote. "Furthermore, the detrimental effects of appearance comparison were much less marked for the 'Instagram vs. reality' and real images than for the ideal images. It was concluded that 'Instagram vs. reality' and real posts have the potential to bolster women's body satisfaction, but more research is needed to assess their longer-term impact."

Siobhan Ward said that we need to become aware of what we believe we are getting from the Internet in order to start resisting its temptation. "By understanding why [we] turn to the Internet, [we] can start to think about healthier ways to meet these needs."

#11

This Guy Popped Up In My Feed As A Sponsored Story

This Guy Popped Up In My Feed As A Sponsored Story

Lksarchitecs Report

#12

Yes, The Giant Feet Syndrome, More And Coomon These Days

Yes, The Giant Feet Syndrome, More And Coomon These Days

Slow-Werewolf Report

#13

We’ve Seen Tiny Heads…now Get Ready For Giant Feet!

We’ve Seen Tiny Heads…now Get Ready For Giant Feet!

meep_meep_merp Report

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#15

"The Model Has Achieved This By Chewing On A Plastic-Looking Contraption"

"The Model Has Achieved This By Chewing On A Plastic-Looking Contraption"

metti-021 Report

#16

Photoshopped Herself Into Oblivion, Grandpa Can Stay Lookin Old Af

Photoshopped Herself Into Oblivion, Grandpa Can Stay Lookin Old Af

ZeuslovesHer Report

#18

From Her Profile vs. Tagged

From Her Profile vs. Tagged

Yayitselizabeth Report

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Sarcastic Cow
Community Member
2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

When you photoshoped yourself hard enough to be Kate Siegel. Good job.

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#19

Reminder: This Is Not How These Women Look In Real Life

Reminder: This Is Not How These Women Look In Real Life

jassicassi Report

#20

Internal Organs? Never Heard Of Them

Internal Organs? Never Heard Of Them

look4alec Report

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#22

What The Model Posted vs. Photographer

What The Model Posted vs. Photographer

clutchkickmurphys Report

#23

She Was On A Popular Reality Show. I'll Never Understand Why They Do This When We've All Seen What They Really Look Like!

She Was On A Popular Reality Show. I'll Never Understand Why They Do This When We've All Seen What They Really Look Like!

TheStayAtHomeAtheist Report

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Monday
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why accept the reality show invite if you've modified your online image this much is what I don't understand. You KNOW you don't look like your pictures, so why expose yourself? [Why change yourself this much is a question for another day]

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#25

Arms So Big They Warp The Plane Seats?

Arms So Big They Warp The Plane Seats?

FreddieL2103 Report

#26

This Cannot Be Real! Inhumanly Possible To Look Like This

This Cannot Be Real! Inhumanly Possible To Look Like This

fenixdarkdirk Report

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James016
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I think this is the guy from TOWIE (UK reality TV show) and he is dangerously thin at the moment

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#28

Girl I Go To Uni With Always Edits Her Photos Like This.. The Second Pic Is How She Actually Looks

Girl I Go To Uni With Always Edits Her Photos Like This.. The Second Pic Is How She Actually Looks

BigBootyBianca Report

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#30

Her Index Finger Seems To Be Melting Down Her Bum

Her Index Finger Seems To Be Melting Down Her Bum

SunnyAmerican Report

#31

Her Gravitational Pull Is So Strong It Distorts Everything Around Her Waist

Her Gravitational Pull Is So Strong It Distorts Everything Around Her Waist

samiam130 Report

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Tobias Rieper
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

this whole page could just have a picture of Thanos after he gets the reality stone with caption now reality can be whatever i want

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#32

Two Of Her Fingers Are Thicker Than Her Wrist, Wtf

Two Of Her Fingers Are Thicker Than Her Wrist, Wtf

MelanieSenpai Report

#34

Even The Poor Headless Mannequin Can't Live Up To Ig Standards

Even The Poor Headless Mannequin Can't Live Up To Ig Standards

_queefer_sutherland_ Report

#35

When The Very Thing You Rely On Betrays You Lol

When The Very Thing You Rely On Betrays You Lol

Fvcknloner Report

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#37

The Face!!! And This Was A Sponsored Post

The Face!!! And This Was A Sponsored Post

thehappilydepressed Report

#40

And She Would Have Gotten Away With It Too, If It Weren’t For Those Meddling Straps!

And She Would Have Gotten Away With It Too, If It Weren’t For Those Meddling Straps!

reakkysadpwrson Report

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#41

Subtle.... Her Poor Nose

Subtle.... Her Poor Nose

randomthemoron Report

#42

I Honestly Don’t Know Where To Start

I Honestly Don’t Know Where To Start

stfx2012 Report

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Troux
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The background has the telltale stretch marks of Google Street View. Nice.

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#44

Reality TV Influencer Edits Her Photos To Change Her Skin Colour

Reality TV Influencer Edits Her Photos To Change Her Skin Colour

Secure_Yoghurt Report

#45

Famous Youtube Prankster Editing Girls’ Bodies In Video Previews. Lost Some Respect For Him For Perpetuating Those Harmful Standards

Famous Youtube Prankster Editing Girls’ Bodies In Video Previews. Lost Some Respect For Him For Perpetuating Those Harmful Standards

old.reddit.com Report

#46

Core So Strong It Bends Everything Around It

Core So Strong It Bends Everything Around It

TacoSlut4Life Report

#47

So Much Brightness

So Much Brightness

DaisyDandelion Report

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Scagsy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wham! Looking happy because they had yet to give their love away at Christmas.

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#48

Found One In The Wild, Totally Natural Looking Face

Found One In The Wild, Totally Natural Looking Face

maginedrragon Report

#49

Online Shopping And.. I Literally Have No Idea What’s Happening Here

Online Shopping And.. I Literally Have No Idea What’s Happening Here

Speecyspicypotato Report

#50

Seen In Strasbourg. Influencer Pretends To Use A Selfie Stick As Entourage Shoots. They Were There For At Least 30 Minutes. Best Was Seeing Her Smoke After In A Winter Coat ‘Cuz It Was Chilly Af

Seen In Strasbourg. Influencer Pretends To Use A Selfie Stick As Entourage Shoots. They Were There For At Least 30 Minutes. Best Was Seeing Her Smoke After In A Winter Coat ‘Cuz It Was Chilly Af

notfortumblr Report

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Scagsy
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Somebody had their picture taken, then had a cigarette. The rest of this story shall remain a mystery evermore.

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