To read McKenna’s opposing view point, click here.

With each tap and swipe of a finger, individuals switch from their main account to their “fake Instagram,” more popularly known as a “finsta.” People may not recognize a finsta at first, as it is plainly a private second account, but it allows the account holder to post photos that aren’t worthy of their primary account, rant about people they don’t like or even put up whatever’s on their irrational mind. As the number of finstas rise, more “tea”—or gossip—is being spilled and unattractive, candid pictures are being leaked for the world to see.

When I first noticed the rise of finstas, I discovered that the account holders used the profile to express personal information about their life. I also realized that finstas had a minuscule amount of followers compared to main accounts and were also private. I presume that the small amount of followers were close friends to the account owner; individuals that he or she trusts and would not exploit what was being posted on their finsta.

As more of my friends created finstas, I decided to make an account of my own. I’ve had my finsta for a little over a year and it’s one of the best things I’ve decided to pursue. I didn’t know what to do with the account at first, but I soon found myself posting what I felt were hilarious pictures and videos that I wanted only my closest friends to look at. Not long after, I began making posts ranting or talking about my day to the small circle of followers I had.

Despite a finsta being a “fake Instagram,” I believe that most accounts portray the “real” versions of individuals. Finsta account holders allow the small audience that they are comfortable with to see what’s happening in their personal lives. On main accounts, individuals show a broader range of people a more general display of themselves that they feel comfortable sharing with possible strangers. 

The small circle of people can also act as a support system, in a sense. They are updated on the finsta owner’s life on a day-to-day basis and comment on posts to express their own emotions. If the owner is having a bad day or is struggling with personal issues, their close friends are there to support and give advice assuming that it’s needed.

Additionally, I found that people who have finstas do not receive a whole lot of judgement. Since the account is exclusive to certain people, account owners don’t have to fear being ridiculed or criticized by other users who want to troll them.

Finstas ultimately pave a way for individuals, and myself, to express emotions on a daily basis without being judged. Without my finsta, I wouldn’t have an outlet to share my thoughts or receive support from my small circle of friends. Main accounts could never amount to the power that finstas have due to the exclusive and intimate information that is shared on those second accounts.