SAN FRANCISCO — Elon Musk has reignited an online debate about Instagram by once again describing the Meta-owned photo-sharing app as a platform "for girls." Audience data, however, suggests the claim does not hold up, particularly on a global scale.

Musk, the owner of rival platform X, made the remark Thursday in response to a post by an account called Geiger Capital, which announced it had deleted Instagram.

"Officially deleted instagram. An inherently female app. Zero benefit," the account wrote.

Musk replied: "Instagram is for girls."

The post drew about 1.8 million views within hours and thousands of reactions, with users split between agreeing with the jab, mocking it and challenging its accuracy.

It is not the first time Musk has made the claim. In May, he posted "Lmao Instagram is for girls" in response to a viral thread comparing social media platforms to different phases of life.

In a follow-up post at the time, Musk added: "Obviously. Sometimes grown men send me their Instagram profiles and I'm like are you transitioning or what?"

Those remarks drew accusations of sexism, with critics arguing that labeling a platform as being "for girls" implied it was less serious or less worthy. Supporters described the comments........

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