Over the past few years, society has seen an unprecedented increase in the popularity of the social network Instagram. The total number of active users of this social network exceeds 1.1 billion people per month and continues to grow rapidly. However, the politics of the crisis between Russia and Ukraine has not bypassed even Instagram.

In detail, Reuters previously reports that Russia bans Instagram and Facebook due to Russia’s military operation in Ukraine. In detail, Facebook and Instagram will stop blocking users’ calls for violence against Russian citizens. Meta denied this information but confirmed that calls for the killing of the Russian military are quite acceptable. Due to this, Roskomnadzor later restricted access to the social media network Instagram in Russia.

Furthermore, the office of the UN Commissioner for Human Rights said Meta’s decision to allow incitement to violence against Russians is a matter of concern and will be discussed with the company. Thus, Real Research — the online survey application, conducted a survey on Instagram ‘Leaving’ Russia Amid War Crisis. Here are the results.

Highlights

  • The majority (72.49%) are aware of Instagram being banned in Russia
  • Almost 30% believe it was unfair to cut such a platform off from people
  • 58.35% think cutting access to social media can control how much information is spread

2/3 of the Participants Are Aware of Instagram Being Banned in Russia

The survey results show that almost all respondents know about the crisis between Russia and Ukraine. In detail, 88.77% are aware, while 11.23% are unaware. Furthermore, on the statement — there tends to be a considerable amount of misinformation on social media platforms, 75.35% agree, 9.56% disagree, and 15.10% are unsure.

Instagram-being-banned-in-Russia
Figure 1: Most people are aware of Instagram being banned in Russia

In an effort to control information available to Russians, Instagram was reportedly banned from use and had been marked on a list of ‘restricted’ online resources. Real Research asked its respondents if they are aware of this fact. In reply, 72.49 say they are aware, 13.40% are unaware, and 14.11% are unsure.

Almost 30% Think It Was Unfair To Cut Instagram off From People

Social media plays a huge role in the lives of many. To the question on which social media platform do respondents mostly use, the answers are as follows. The majority, 51.45%, use Facebook. The next most popular social media platform among respondents is Instagram (18.31%). Furthermore, the lesser-used social media platforms are Twitter (9.94%), Snapchat (4.86%), VK (4.52%), and TikTok (3.76%).

it was extremely fair to cut Instagram off from people
Figure 2: The majority think it was extremely fair to cut Instagram off from people

Next, the Real Research survey app asks if people think it was fair to cut Instagram off from people. In response, 47.21% of the respondents believe it is extremely fair, 23.18% say somewhat fair, and 29.61% think it is unfair.

Cutting Access To Instagram Will Control How Much Information Is Spread

Social media platforms nowadays have become a sort of media where people get a lot of information. In this regard, Real Research asks respondents if cutting access to Instagram will control information during such a time. Up to 58.35% believe it will control the spread of information. Following that, almost 19% think there will always be some way for misinformation to spread. Meanwhile, 22.83% of the respondents are unsure.

No access to Instagram will control how much information is spread
Figure 3: No access to Instagram will control how much information is spread

Next, to the question of ‘what do you mostly use social media platforms for?’ the responses are as follows. ‘To stay connected with friends and family’ (48.11%), ‘I use it for a living’ (18.48%), and ‘I use it to stay connected with the world’ (13.27%). Furthermore, ‘I use social media as a hobby’ 6.50%, and ‘I don’t have a particular reason’ (12.86%).

Lastly, the Real Research survey app asks if respondents would consider switching to other social media platforms if their country was to ban a certain platform. Here, 62.78% will try to find another way to connect with the world, while 10.72% will depend on their choices. Lastly, 7.44% claim they will stop using social media altogether.

Methodology

Survey TitleSurvey on Instagram ‘Leaving’ Russia Amid War Crisis
DurationMarch 16 – March 23, 2022
Number of Participants50,000
DemographicsMales and females, aged 21 to 99
Participating Countries Afghanistan, Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, China, China (Hong Kong) China (Macao), China (Taiwan), Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Greanada, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Malaysia, Maldives, Maluritania, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar [Burma], Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Serbia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zimbabwe.