Kids are setting up so-called Finsta accounts as a way to escape the pressure of a perfectly curated post.
When my daughter was in middle school, I happened to overhear her and a friend discussing their so-called Finsta accounts. Thinking it was just another social media platform that had popped up unbeknownst to me, I asked what it was. But I was ill-prepared for the answer.
Finsta was not a new social media platform, it was a work-around middle schoolers were using to post more privately on Instagram. Not only did it remove the pressure of conforming to the expectations of others—or being subjected to a wider audience’s judgment—it also was considered a “fake” account.
For a minute, her explanation left me speechless—until of course we talked it through and she explained its purpose. She wasn’t doing anything wrong and she was still posting responsibly. But, like most parents my age, I felt overwhelmed because I wasn’t keeping up with how fast social media was evolving.
I also wasn’t really prepared for the realization that my 13-year-old daughter was much more skilled at navigating it than me. If you find yourself in the same situation wondering what to do about Finsta, we dive into exactly what it is, the benefits, the risks, and how you should handle it as a parent.
Making Sense of Finsta Accounts (And Rinsta, Too)
According to the social media marketing tool, Social Pilot, the term ‘Finstagram’ first appeared in 2011 when people started recognizing the difference between original accounts and fake accounts on Instagram. By 2013, the term started to become more popular and by 2015, most people were aware of Finstagram.1 Later, the term was shortened to Finsta and users started referring to real Instagram as Rinsta.
Today, Finsta is not a fake account in the literal sense of the word. Instead, it’s an account with a generic or unidentifiable name that is not linked to any of the user’s identifying information—a way for young people (and celebrities) to fly under the radar and remain as anonymous as social media allows. Usually, Finsta accounts are a place where people can be the most authentic version of themselves online. Often the posts contain personal experiences, unedited photos, struggles, humor, and more.
“While it sounds covert or devious, it simply means a second, more private and selective account used by young people to share with a more specific group,” says Joshua Stein, MD, a child and adolescent psychiatrist and clinical director at PrairieCare. “For young people, Instagram has become an outward public expression of self. Unlike adults that may choose to be on social media or not, it is more of a social necessity for young people. Their standard Instagram account may show an idealized sense of self with awareness that it is for public consumption. The Finsta account is commonly used in a private way to share more personalized information.”
Typically, Finstas have a very small number of followers and usually only include very close friends or family members. In fact, according to Dr. Stein a teenager may have 1,500 followers on their standard account while on their Finsta they may only have 10.
Why Kids Set Up Finsta Accounts
A little more than 50% of high school students have a Finsta account, and more than 70% believe Finsta is a positive way for young people to express themselves, according to the website Appypie. For most young people, these accounts are an antidote to the pressure they feel to have a perfectly curated Instagram account with beautiful photos, amazing experiences, and witty thoughts or quotes.
Finsta accounts also are a way for kids to share their unedited photos, thoughts, opinions, and struggles without worrying about a future college admissions officer or employer judging their posts. It’s also a way to share inside jokes and connect with the people they are closest to.
“For better or worse teens may use a Finsta account to express their true self including ‘cringe’ or awkward moments, off-color humor, or intense emotions without the social repercussions of their friend’s grandmother or a girl they met in soccer two years ago viewing it,” Dr. Stein explains. “Traditionally, the Finsta followers are within the circle of trust, and backlash is limited.”
Benefits of Finsta Accounts
Finsta allows kids to express their true selves without the fear of judgment from a broader audience, says Kristie Tse, LMHC, a New York psychotherapist and clinical director of Uncover Mental Health Counseling.
“This level of authenticity fosters deeper connections with their close friends, creating a safe space for shared experiences and emotions…They [also] can explore their interests and identities more freely, which aids in their personal growth,” she explains.
Finstas also can serve as a reminder that life’s imperfections are normal, encouraging resilience and acceptance among peers, she says. “Having a space where they can relax and share their true feelings with a select group of friends can be incredibly freeing. It allows them to embrace their authentic selves without the pressure of public scrutiny.”
However, Tse says she has witnessed how the intimacy of using a Finsta can lead to complications, especially if trust is broken.
“It’s important for individuals to establish clear boundaries and trust within their close circle to truly benefit from this experience. Balancing authenticity and privacy can lead to personal growth while maintaining a sense of safety in their digital interactions,” she explains.
Downsides of Finsta Accounts
On the surface, having a Finsta can seem like a real perk for your child. But there is a dark side to these accounts, too. Because young people can remain anonymous—and they are almost untraceable—these accounts can become a breeding ground for drama, subtweeting, and cyberbullying.
“There also is certainly a false sense of security with Finsta accounts,” Dr. Stein says. “Screenshots can still be taken, and videos can still go viral. With the rapidly changing nature of teenage relationships, the circle of trust can expand and contract. While these accounts may be more private or personal, they are still at risk of exposure.”
In today’s world, where online mistakes can go viral and follow them throughout life, teens should always take a few minutes to think before posting, he adds. “I encourage my patients to ask themselves if they would like their school principal to see their post before it is dropped permanently into the world.”
Finsta accounts also allow people to hide their identity, explore alter egos, and troll or bully other people. In fact, cyberbullying is the most common type of bullying kids experience today, with about 30% of teens experiencing it at some point in their lives.
It can flourish in the underground world of Finsta with very little accountability. According to Bark, a parental control supplier, Finsta is also mutable. If you find your child has a Finsta account they didn’t tell you about, it’s possible for them to change their handle names and give the appearance that the account has been deleted.
In fact, Reena B. Patel, LEP, BCBA, a parenting expert and positive psychologist, says kids often use Finsta to hide posts from parents that they don’t want them to see.
“This is especially true if parents and other family members are following their original Instagram account. It can also be used as a private account to connect with a specific audience or group of friends that is different from the other accounts,” Patel explains.
What’s more, Patel says having a Finsta plays into the concept that what people see on social media is not real. “Having multiple accounts based on your audience does play into this and makes you question why kids are changing their persona or how they are perceived based on their audience.”
What Should You Do as a Parent?
As long as your child is old enough to have a real Instagram account (Rinsta), it might be OK to allow them to have a Finsta, too—as long as they are mature enough to handle the responsibility. Just be sure to have a conversation about it.
Here are some discussion points to include:
- Your child should allow you to follow them.
- Explain that even though they may be very selective about which friends follow them, there is still the potential for something to be shared more widely than their Finsta. Posts can be copied or a screenshot can be taken and shared on social media or through mass text messages—even by people they trust or consider their closest friends.
- Discuss the fact that the same rules apply to Finsta as Rinsta. In other words, your child should not be mocking people or cyberbullying them.
- They also should be cognizant of what they are posting, avoiding pictures or words that could be misconstrued or hurtful to other people.
- They should never post sexually explicit photos on their account.
“When utilized appropriately and in a positive manner, Finsta can certainly be worthwhile,” says Dr. Stein. “On the other hand, if it is being used to hide patterns that family or friends would find troubling, such as drug use, self-harm, or risk-taking behaviors, or to interact with a group that normalizes these behaviors, it can be especially concerning.”
He adds that parents should be monitoring their children’s social media accounts and a Finsta is no exception. “Rather, it is another opportunity for discussion about the positives, negatives, and risks of social media.”
Originally published on Parents.com.