Instagram has officially discontinued support for end-to-end encrypted direct messages, citing low adoption rates, while simultaneously rolling out a new feature called Instants for ephemeral photo sharing.
While the platform pushes new engagement tools, Modern Wisdom hosts remain critical of the app's cultural toll. Stephen J. Shaw argued that the app fuels lifestyle inflation, noting, "I've watched too much Instagram, and now I think that I've got to have the, the newest stroller and the best car seat." Chris Williamson echoed this sentiment, lamenting that the realities of parenting, like "middle-of-the-night diaper changes," simply "can't be flexed on Instagram."
Other hosts view the platform through a more utilitarian lens. Ryan Grim noted on The Megyn Kelly Show that increased access to Instagram in Cuba created a "gap between how they're living and what they're seeing on, on social media," fueling genuine resentment. Meanwhile, creators like Kareem Rahma on SmartLess continue to lean into the platform, framing it as a primary distribution network for new media projects like "Keep the Meter Running."
