Bengaluru: A statement regarding the Instagram app made by Elon Musk, the owner of the social media giant ‘X’ (formerly Twitter), has ignited a major debate on the internet. Musk’s comment, implying that Instagram is a platform meant exclusively for women, has drawn the ire of netizens.
‘Geiger Capital’ had shared a post about deleting the Instagram app, writing, “Officially deleted Instagram. It’s basically an app for women. It serves no purpose.” Responding immediately to this post, Elon Musk commented, “Instagram is for girls.”
This is not the first time Elon Musk has made a sarcastic remark about Instagram. He had made a similar statement back in May during a viral discussion regarding social media habits and online trends. Elon Musk: “I’ll pay Rs.5.7 lakh crore—give me your company…” Trillionaire Elon Musk pursues an Indian youth-led AI startup.
In a discussion regarding how online behavior reflects various stages of people’s lives, the post mentioned trends such as posting ‘Stories’ on Instagram all day, sharing photos of home-cooked meals, and posting attention-grabbing photos (often called “thirst traps”). Responding to this, Musk wrote, “Instagram is for girls,” and mocked mature men who shared their Instagram profiles, remarking, “I don’t know if they are transitioning or what.” This comment sparked a major controversy at the time and faced widespread criticism for being sexist.
Strong reaction from netizens on social media
This recent comment by Musk is going viral online again, drawing mixed reactions from netizens. Questioning Musk’s statement, one user directly asked, “So, who is your ‘X’ platform limited to?” Another user took a dig by asking, “Who does the X app belong to?” Others completely dismissed Musk’s opinion; one person wrote, “I do not agree with this. Instagram is a great platform open to people of all genders,” while another retorted, “Instagram is an app that belongs to everyone.”