Thd whole industry sounds bonkers. Those posting and those following. You’re all over invested.
I think the whole thing is bonkers but I think a lot of it needs carefully examining because the impact it is having on consumer choices, PR and advertising, the way people interact with their families, safeguarding and how they consume media is fascinating and at times incredibly troubling.
It’s a fast paced part of the world with little to no enforceable laws or rules. It’s the Wild West and in twenty years we will see many, many law suits from consumers, companies and most likely - the children of both influencers and Joe and Josephine public who made their children a commodity for both likes and money.
I took a break from my career (healthcare like Clemmie) and in that break set up a business which happened to overlap with dealing with a lot of influencers. At the same time my then 11/12 yo DS and his peers were getting into YouTubers (which if you think Instagram is bonkers, you won’t believe what a circus that is).
I became increasingly troubled with what I saw and how hypnotic the experience of consuming this form of advertising (because that’s what it is) is for a great deal of people. Look at people like Zoella, MOD, Mrs Hinch etc. with their armies of fans who will ruin lives over one critical word said about their idol.
There is little critical discussion about this which doesn’t get immediately picked up by the influencers as trolling or bullying. The mainstream media, despite generally hating internet stars, go for the sympathy side and most articles cover the “Awww poor influencers got bullied side”. There is little to no examination of this cultural switch to online displays of ones life for financial gain and anyone who dares to raise a critical voice is pushed away as a troll.
People must keep talking about this.