So, what exactly is a “finsta”?

If you’ve ever even step foot into a high school, there’s no doubt you’ve heard the phrase “finsta” come out of a teenager’s mouth once or twice. There’s also no doubt that there’s some sort of negative connotation or drama in that conversation. But, this seems confusing, because from a very young age, our generation has been told to be careful what we post because anything we decide to put on the internet never ever goes away. So, how could it be that this social media craze is causing such a frenzy?

Finsta is not it’s own app or a new site, it’s simply Instagram. The f is added in front to imply that the account is “fake.” But, how could an account be fake? 

Here’s how: the posts are utterly ridiculous. The ugliest of ugly selfies and videos and group pictures are saved for a separate Instagram that kids pair with hilarious and obscene captions. The captions are usually long and detailed, letting everyone in on the inside scoop of their lives and drama. They are littered with vulgar language and on finsta, no one’s shy enough to not use people’s full names. Everyone’s getting called out or made fun of and it’s really wild. 

So this begs yet another question: Why? Why are teenagers creating more drama for themselves? Why do they feel this need to let every person that will listen know about their lives? “I will never make a finsta. It’s way to much drama and makes no sense to me.” Says senior Kaitlyn Taptich. 

It’s overall just seems strange. 

Until you get your young adolescent mind hooked on finsta and realize that you too have become a victim of this vicious cycle. 

Finsta allows you to rant about whatever your little heart desires, knowing that there will always be an audience. Not only is it a platform to entertain your friends with funny, wild stories that you otherwise would have spent hours texting everyone separately, but ranting is kind of cleansing. You type out everything that’s bothering you and it kind of makes you feel better. 

Calling out the kid that cut you off in the senior parking lot is freeing, and you don’t care if anyone tells him about the post, because then maybe next time he won’t cut you off. 

Or, going off on a tangent about the ridiculous fight you and your brother got into 10 minutes ago makes you realize how stupid it was. 

It’s almost like someone’s always there to listen to your problems, even if most comments on these posts are “lmao tru”.  

“I personally don’t have a finsta, but I follow at least ten and although most are lame and a little annoying there a a few I look forward to seeing that make me crack up.” Says senior Noah Gomes, bringing up another great point, finsta is hilarious. Not only to you make yourself laugh, but you get to make your followers laugh which is always a great feeling. 

So, get on Instagram and follow a few of your friends finstas. Or better yet, make yourself a finsta and start to get inside the fun.