Courtney Pham (288)

There’s an unspoken rule for every student at Central: download Instagram. 

Instagram has become more than just a social media app; it plays a key role in how students communicate, express themselves, and stay involved in school life. 

News

One of the most obvious reasons students use Instagram is to stay up to date on what’s happening at Central.

Many after-school clubs regularly post announcements about meetings, bake sales, and cabinet member introductions. For students looking to understand the idea of a club or deciding whether to join, Instagram is often the first place they look.

Christian Yuen (286), the Public Relations Officer of DECA, Central’s largest business club, explained how essential the platform has become: “I use Instagram as an outlet for outreach, attracting event participation, and to fundraise. I do this through Reels and static posts, whether it be funny trends or a recap of our competitions. I also use Instagram to draw members to come to our various meetings and learn more about business.”

Beyond clubs, some of Central’s most followed accounts, such as the Student Association, Lancer Athletics, and Central Alumni, all have over 8,000 followers combined. While posters around the school advertise spirit weeks, cultural showcases, and game days, having all that information in one place is far more efficient than relying on hallway flyers you might miss between classes.

Instagram also allows students to interact with school news. By liking, commenting, or reposting content, students help spread awareness. For example, reposting a sports team’s bake sale on a story can significantly increase turnout. Having a centralized, interactive system for school announcements at the tip of your fingers makes staying informed easy and convenient.

Expression

Instagram is also a major outlet for creativity and self-expression. Whether you’re an artist, photographer, musician, or someone with a niche hobby, Instagram provides a platform to share your interests. 

Quinn H. (287), who runs his own photography page, shared his perspective: “I just really want to get my photography out there. I really like the idea of getting to see things most other people can’t, and getting to share those places with them via photography.” Most importantly, he mentioned, “Instagram is a great way to do that because almost everyone has it.” 

Students can choose how public they want their content to be, whether sharing with close friends or reaching a wider audience. Even for those who don’t post publicly, features like Notes allow students to share music, thoughts, or quick updates that can spark conversations with others who relate or share similar interests.

Community

Instagram plays a major role in building student community, especially through group chats. Students often create group chats for classes they’re currently taking (or survived) together. These chats become spaces to ask questions, share resources, and support one another. 

Amanda Lin (288), highlighted a group chat created for students enrolled in or previously enrolled in Algebra 2 Honors: “We practice our strengths by helping others with homework and work on our weaknesses by asking for help.” This kind of peer support is especially helpful when students run into questions at home and can’t immediately reach a teacher or attend a tutoring session, something that’s common given Central’s large class sizes.

Instagram has become more than just a social media app. It’s a tool for communication, creativity, and connection that students rely on daily. 

With all of this in mind, it’s time to acknowledge the reality: Instagram has become just as essential, if not more so, than platforms like Google Classroom and Infinite Campus. Someone finally had to say it.