A new trend, termed ‘Grid Zero’, is emerging among Instagram users, particularly those belonging to Gen Z. This trend involves users hiding their entire photo grid, effectively making their public profiles a blank slate. The trend is driven by an increasing concern for privacy among younger users.
Jacob Giancola, a music producer in Los Angeles, is one such user who has hidden all the photos on his Instagram profile. When asked about his decision, he cited a preference for privacy. This trend is so prevalent that Instagram’s research into cultural trends, led by Kim Garcia, has acknowledged ‘Grid Zero’ as a growing phenomenon.
Gen Z, the primary drivers of this trend, are growing up in an era of public scrutiny and have fewer private spaces to explore and express themselves compared to older generations. This has led to an aversion to permanence and digital footprints. Despite this shift, these users are still active on the platform, but they engage more discreetly than their older peers.
The shift away from the traditional Instagram grid has been ongoing for years. Instagram chief Adam Mosseri noted that the platform has been reallocating resources towards direct messaging and Stories, which are temporary posts. These areas have seen the most growth, with teens spending more time in DMs and Stories than in the feed. This shift doesn’t mean users are spending less time on Instagram; instead, they are choosing fleeting or private interactions over social media permanence.
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