Social media platforms have become a part of our daily lives. People, especially the new generation, have become so addicted to social media that they start their day by scrolling the timeline page.

Although social media platforms can be fun and connect you with new people, they can also affect your mental health. Instagram, in particular, can make people feel insecure, jealous, and anxious, especially young people. This is because of its carefully curated feeds and endless scrolling.

However, there are ways in which you can control your Instagram experience and improve your mental health. So let’s look at ways to tweak your Instagram settings on Jailbroken iOS devices.

The Dark Side of Instagram

Instagram’s never-ending appeal is a perfect recipe for mental health struggles. There are features like a non-stop scrolling option and the algorithmic feed which is more focused on engagement. Hence, the content that you see is based on this algorithmic feed which will keep you hooked to your screens.

The feature is designed in such a way that you will fall into a race of likes and comments. An endless race that is driven by the fear of missing out (FOMO) factor. NCBI found that Instagram and Twitter had the worst mental health expressions among the population they studied.

You as a user could potentially end up in a position where there is a constant comparison with other users’ curated lives. This can make you feel socially anxious and insecure. 

This concern now has reached a point where lawsuits are being filed against Meta, Instagram’s parent company. The Instagram lawsuit claims that

Instagram prioritizes engagement over user well-being, which negatively impacts mental health.

According to TruLaw, the suit cites internal Instagram research that shows one in three teenage girls struggle with body image issues. This legal challenge shows there’s growing awareness amongst users about how harmful social media can be.

Jailbreaking for Customization

Jailbreaking iOS devices open a whole new world of customization options. It empowers you and grants users root access to the operating system.

With this jailbreaking of iOS devices, you can install tweaks that are like mini-applications. This can be used to modify specific functionalities. 

One thing that you need to be aware of is that jailbreaking comes with certain risks. Your security vulnerabilities could get exploited, the device’s warranty gets voided, etc. 

However, if you are one of those users who want to control your device and need a personalized experience, go for it. The potential benefits are much higher than the drawbacks. This is especially true when combined with Instagram configuration settings that could potentially keep you in a great mental space.

A More Mindful Instagram Experience 

Enhanced Privacy Controls

You have more control over app permissions on jailbroken iOS devices than your normal ones. Use apps like Filza or iFile to limit Instagram’s access to your data.

For example, you can limit Instagram’s access to your contacts or location. This can add another extra layer of privacy. A 2023 survey by the Pew Research Center revealed, 67% of Americans have no idea about what companies do with their data. This lack of transparency leads to concerns about data misuse and targeted content. 

Custom Notification Management

Jailbroken devices give you an option of making advanced notification changes with tweaks like Notifica or Activator. These are for customizing Instagram notifications so you can choose different sounds or types of alerts. With this, you can control when and how you get notified, reducing mental distractions.

Similarly, you can use tools such as Focus Do Not Disturb or Freedom to schedule Instagram notifications to show up only at certain times of the day. By using this feature, you won’t get constantly distracted by alerts and can focus on other important tasks.

Content Filtering and Usage Monitoring

You could potentially install apps or tweaks for Instagram that let you filter or block specific types of content. For example, look for apps like Offtime and Moment to hide posts with certain keywords or from specific accounts that might impact your mood.

Additionally, use apps like Forest to keep track of how much time you spend on Instagram. You can set up alerts for when you’re using the app too much, and you can set reminders for when you need a break. 

Statista reveals that, on average, internet users worldwide use social media for 143 minutes a day as of 2024. This helps you avoid burnout and maintain a healthy balance.

Important Considerations:

• Jailbreaking comes with risks like increased security vulnerabilities, compatibility issues, etc. Make sure you weigh the risks and benefits before implementing these strategies.
• Do your homework (user reviews, community discussions) to make sure the tweaks you choose are compatible with your device. Use reputable tweak repositories like Cydia and Sileo.
• Remember, the functionality and configuration options will vary depending on the tweak you choose.

Ultimately, jailbreak tweaks give you more control over your iOS device than standard features. However, it is important to remember that jailbreaking comes with risks. You can leverage the unique functionality of jailbreak tweaks by carefully weighing the benefits and risks.

Additionally, jailbroken iOS devices let you use Instagram more mindfully by giving you a more personal experience.

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