Social Media

Rinsta vs. Insta, Why do Teens Have So Many IG Accounts?

Delaney Ruston, MD
July 22, 2019
Girl using phone with 2 boys in background in school lobby

It is very common for teens to have two Instagram accounts or even three or four. Their main, public-facing one is referred to as their Rinsta (as in Real + Instagram). Their second account is called their Finsta (Fake + Instagram) and is in addition to their main account. Teens use their Finsta as a place to post pictures and videos meant only for their closest friends to see.

Since teens’ main accounts generally have a lot more people following them, including adults, the posts on them are curated whereas Finstas offer teens a place to be themselves and post unfiltered content. And sometimes a place to hide things from their parents.

I talked to a 14-year old named Isabel who has a Rinsta and a Finsta. She tells me that she uses her Finsta daily to vent to her closest friends. Her main Instagram account only has a few well-composed photos on it. While her Rinsta has over 1,000 followers, her Finsta only has 64.

Isabel says that she posts things to her Finsta that she thinks her friends might find funny or relatable. But some teens also use their Finsta accounts to express deep emotional feelings. I’ve heard stories of middle-schoolers posting something that made their friends concerned, like signs of a possible eating disorder or clinical depression.  

How do we give teens privacy and autonomy while at the same time knowing that they may be posting to reach out for emotional support around something that we adults need to know about? We want them to express themselves but, of course, we worry about what they express and to whom. And we know that, when hard emotions are happening, hiding behind a screen can be easier than dealing directly. It is key that our teens reach out face-to-face when things are hard. Social media and the Internet can allow an adolescent to isolate themselves which will likely exacerbate their sad feelings.

This is where having regular conversations with your teen is key, so that when something is really wrong they will come to you. Recently I heard from my friend about how happy she was that when she recently spoke with a group of middle schoolers about that issue, they all seemed to understand that if they felt that their friend was in danger of hurting themselves or someone else, that they should contact an adult.

Here are are few questions for your kids and teens to get the conversation going today:

  • Do you have a Finsta? If so, who do you let in as a friend?
  • How often do you post on Instagram and to which account?
  • How do you choose between accounts to post pictures?
  • If you don’t use Instagram, why doesn't it appeal to you?
  • How about all your other social media sites, i.e. VSCO, Snapchat, social video games, etc. how do you choose who to be friends with and what you post?
  • For you adults, share with the kids how you choose who to accept as a friend on the platforms you use whether that Instagram, Facebook or Linkedin, and what kinds of things you post.

We would love for you to share this TTT any way that works for you, whether that’s on social media or via a newsletter. If you want to send it out in your newsletter we just ask that you credit us and link to our website, and let us know at lisa@screenagersmovie.com.

HOST A SCREENING to help spark change.
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Stay in touch with the Screenagers community on Facebook, Twitter and leave comments below.

July 22, 2019


As well as our weekly blog, we publish videos like this one every week on the Screenagers YouTube channel

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Free Book Preview - Download a free preview of "Parenting In The Screen Age" by Delaney Ruston, MD

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Join Today - Members can screen and view our movies year-round, access new lesson plans, resources and much more!

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Our New Movie - Learn more about the third movie in the Screenagers Trilogy

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The Screenagers YouTube Channel - Subscribe for new videos and content from our team weekly!

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Community Screenings - Learn more about hosting your own Screenagers community screening event!

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The Screenagers YouTube Channel - Subscribe for new videos and content from our team weekly!

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Social Media

Rinsta vs. Insta, Why do Teens Have So Many IG Accounts?

Delaney Ruston, MD
July 22, 2019
Girl using phone with 2 boys in background in school lobby

It is very common for teens to have two Instagram accounts or even three or four. Their main, public-facing one is referred to as their Rinsta (as in Real + Instagram). Their second account is called their Finsta (Fake + Instagram) and is in addition to their main account. Teens use their Finsta as a place to post pictures and videos meant only for their closest friends to see.

Since teens’ main accounts generally have a lot more people following them, including adults, the posts on them are curated whereas Finstas offer teens a place to be themselves and post unfiltered content. And sometimes a place to hide things from their parents.

I talked to a 14-year old named Isabel who has a Rinsta and a Finsta. She tells me that she uses her Finsta daily to vent to her closest friends. Her main Instagram account only has a few well-composed photos on it. While her Rinsta has over 1,000 followers, her Finsta only has 64.

Isabel says that she posts things to her Finsta that she thinks her friends might find funny or relatable. But some teens also use their Finsta accounts to express deep emotional feelings. I’ve heard stories of middle-schoolers posting something that made their friends concerned, like signs of a possible eating disorder or clinical depression.  

How do we give teens privacy and autonomy while at the same time knowing that they may be posting to reach out for emotional support around something that we adults need to know about? We want them to express themselves but, of course, we worry about what they express and to whom. And we know that, when hard emotions are happening, hiding behind a screen can be easier than dealing directly. It is key that our teens reach out face-to-face when things are hard. Social media and the Internet can allow an adolescent to isolate themselves which will likely exacerbate their sad feelings.

This is where having regular conversations with your teen is key, so that when something is really wrong they will come to you. Recently I heard from my friend about how happy she was that when she recently spoke with a group of middle schoolers about that issue, they all seemed to understand that if they felt that their friend was in danger of hurting themselves or someone else, that they should contact an adult.

Here are are few questions for your kids and teens to get the conversation going today:

  • Do you have a Finsta? If so, who do you let in as a friend?
  • How often do you post on Instagram and to which account?
  • How do you choose between accounts to post pictures?
  • If you don’t use Instagram, why doesn't it appeal to you?
  • How about all your other social media sites, i.e. VSCO, Snapchat, social video games, etc. how do you choose who to be friends with and what you post?
  • For you adults, share with the kids how you choose who to accept as a friend on the platforms you use whether that Instagram, Facebook or Linkedin, and what kinds of things you post.

We would love for you to share this TTT any way that works for you, whether that’s on social media or via a newsletter. If you want to send it out in your newsletter we just ask that you credit us and link to our website, and let us know at lisa@screenagersmovie.com.

HOST A SCREENING to help spark change.
FIND EVENT LISTINGS

Do you organize professional development in schools? We now have a 6-hour, 3-part training module. Request more information here Professional Development.

Stay in touch with the Screenagers community on Facebook, Twitter and leave comments below.

July 22, 2019


As well as our weekly blog, we publish videos like this one every week on the Screenagers YouTube channel

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