All the instagram (and similar) filter things just emulate film photography. Personally I'd rather do it with a proper film camera or do it with a proper digital camera and do the creative filtering myself in photoshop/lightroom.
Yes it's quick an easy but the photos and results are low quality. If you then wanted something with enough detail to print, you wouldn't have it.
But if it works for you and it inspires your creativity and interest in photography then thats fine.