This study investigates the dominant value theory governing the structural design and operational functionality of Instagram. The central hypothesis posits that Instagram's architecture is dominated by a framework of quantitative collective egoism, wherein the ethical valuation of decisions is defined through measurable outcomes serving Meta's corporate interests (user growth, engagement, and revenue). To substantiate this claim, a mixed analytical methodology was employed, integrating: (1) a socio-historical analysis of Instagram's evolutionary trajectory; (2) an intellectual sociology of Mark Zuckerberg as the principal architect of Meta's ideological framework; and (3) a structural-psychological examination of algorithmic architecture and platform design mechanisms.

The findings reveal that Instagram has progressively diverged from its founders' original ethos—centered on simplicity, aesthetics, and qualitative user experience—and has increasingly internalized Meta's corporate, growth-driven logic. The structural-psychological analysis further demonstrates that core features, including the algorithmic feed, Explore page, and psychological mechanisms (such as the Hook Model and dark patterns), are systematically engineered to maximize user engagement. The ethical ramifications of this framework encompass predictable harms to mental health (particularly among adolescents), erosion of public discourse quality, and attenuation of user autonomy.

Finally, acknowledging the attendant socio-political challenges and costs, the article proposes actionable pathways toward ethically-grounded design, encompassing enhanced algorithmic transparency, design prioritizing user well-being, fostering healthy public discourse, and ensuring robust privacy protections.