AZE.US
Azerbaijani lawmaker Fazil Mustafa has backed Elon Musk’s critical remarks about Instagram, saying the billionaire’s assessment of the platform reflects “a certain reality.”
Musk recently drew attention with comments claiming that Instagram has increasingly turned into an environment aimed mostly at girls.
He also said that when he sees some photos posted by boys on the platform, he sometimes wants to joke by asking whether they are “changing gender.”
The remarks quickly triggered debate on social media. Some users described them as sharp humor and irony. Others said the comments reinforced stereotypes and carried an offensive meaning.
Speaking to Demokrat.az, Fazil Mustafa, a member of Azerbaijan’s Milli Majlis, said that if Musk raised the issue, there was likely some truth behind it.
“We also observe this tendency. This is not just a random remark,” Mustafa said.
According to the lawmaker, Instagram has become a platform where certain groups of users actively promote themselves. He said professional advertising is also widespread, including posts related to furniture, restaurants and personal services.
Mustafa argued that Musk’s view should not be dismissed as accidental.
“Elon Musk has far more experience in this field than we do. He understands the operating principles of platforms and how advertising mechanisms work,” Mustafa said.
He said the statement appeared to be based on the realities of how such platforms function.
“I think this opinion expresses a certain truth, and it should be accepted as reality. There is no need to look for some additional meaning here or approach the issue negatively,” he added.
The discussion reflects a broader debate over what Instagram has become. The platform is no longer just a place for personal photos or casual communication. It has turned into a marketplace of image, lifestyle, personal branding, services and advertising.
That is why remarks about Instagram often move beyond technology and become part of a larger conversation about identity, appearance, gender stereotypes and the pressure to present oneself online.
Musk’s comments were blunt, and for many users, unnecessarily provocative. But Mustafa’s reaction shows that the debate also resonates in Azerbaijan, where Instagram is widely used not only for social communication, but also for business promotion, public image and everyday digital life.
AZE.US