There could be various reasons why someone has not accepted or declined your Instagram follow request, even though they have been online. Here are some possibilities:
Indecision or uncertainty: The person might be unsure whether they want to accept or decline your request. They could be taking their time to think about it or may have other priorities at the moment.
Privacy concerns: Some people are cautious about accepting follow requests from individuals they don't know personally. They might be reviewing your profile, trying to gauge if they should grant you access to their content.
Ignored request: It's possible that the person simply missed your request notification or overlooked it in the midst of other notifications.
Intentional delay: The person might intentionally be delaying their response for various reasons, such as wanting to maintain a certain level of privacy or distance.
Social media habits: People have different social media habits. Some individuals might not be actively managing their followers or follow requests regularly.
Unfamiliarity: If you don't have any prior interactions or connections with the person, they may be hesitant to accept your request.
Relationship status: Depending on their relationship status, the person may be cautious about accepting new followers, especially if they are in a committed relationship.
Personal reasons: It's possible that the person is going through personal issues or life events that are affecting their social media activity.
Technical issues: Sometimes, technical glitches or bugs can cause delays in processing follow requests.
Overall, it's essential not to overanalyze the situation and avoid making assumptions. Social media behavior can be quite nuanced and individual-specific. Give the person some more time, and if they don't respond after a while, it's okay to move on. Remember that social media interactions are just one aspect of communication, and building meaningful connections often requires more than just a follow request on Instagram.