Instamums 4

[mammyoftwo]

Following on from Instamums 3.2

It's not a thread solely about ad transparency. The title of the thread is 'Instamums'.

The 'big' issues are transparency and child protection but posters can talk about whatever they like.

@stellastartsitall agreed, I've followed since before the twins were born and I did feel quite let down (not sure why, maybe because it all seemed so genuine) and a bit like a fool for not twigging that it was ads. So many times I thought 'ohh that looks good and she's recommending it' but the reality is, if someone gives you 2 computers, you are going to say they're good, it should not be influencing my choice of computer purchase unless I am aware it's an ad. That's not because I'm stupid, but I'm thinking 'oh they purchased those because they are good and now they are promoting how easy to use they are' and if I go to look at them. And she really must've been subtly influential because I was suddenly like oh the high chairs, oh the washing machine and tumble dryer, oh the clarks shoes, oh the saltwater sandals, it just went on and on. Interspersed with 'tight' Simon doing amazing DIY, he did fantastic things to their garden, and mentally I bought into the brand and felt like I trusted her opinion. So yes when this blew up I felt like wtf? This is crazy. I wasn't particularly invested, but clearly this subliminal advertising was working on some level.

I think that's why there was so much discussion around this/these accounts because there were so many products and hidden ads. But if you just looked at accounts now, it's different.

I think ads need to be clear. If people aren’t declaring them, that’s unfair, not only to the brand but also to the followers. Surely! And plus, isn’t it illegal? I’m a teacher and even gifts over a certain amount that we get given at the end of term have to be taken into account for tax purposes. I’m sure that as time goes on, laws around this will be much clearer and there should be less ambeguity. I think at the moment it’s not widely known so maybe the people who do want to declare aren’t always doing it properly, and the people who want to slide under the radar are doing their best job to. My sister has a page with 7,500 people and she did an ad through some sort of app where she got paid (not much I don’t think), but they required her to put #ad in the story and the post otherwise she wouldn’t have met their requirements. So hopefully the companies are also learning so that they can educate the people they are working with. Hmm.

Ooh what gifts do you get Lateforall? I feel like I'm letting the side down not giving gifts that might need to be declared to teachers!

Yes Late the companies have clearly been sneaking stuff to instas and knew fine well what they were doing. And a little bit of greed made some of the instas turn a blind eye to their responsibilities. The regs will catch up just as insta is considered as uncool as FB for the next round of young consumers.

@fruitbowl a skincare set. Think it was a fancy one - decleor. And an old bottle of port (I don’t even like port). I’m on mat leave now and those were a couple of years ago but we had to declare them if they were worth over £50 on our tax return. My school was really hot on this. You’d have to check what the requirements were now as I tend to get chocolates and candles these days that sit below that threshold x

Totally OT (sorry CadyHeron) but what kind of gifts do you like getting as teacher @Lateforall?

My DD has a brilliant teaching assistant and I'm always stumped as to what to buy?

Blooming heck I just give teachers a cath kidston mug from the sales or sometimes it something I've sewn with liberty fabric like a pencil case or tote bag. The handmade gifts are appreciated the most.

One of the schools we were at weee hot on collections and vouchers, so the teachers got £80 each minimum in vouchers 😬 Maybe they didn't appreciate that as much as those mums thought they did!

Nice Late! Teachers want booze, right?!

No wonder mod has been happy to get all those freebies....as a midwife/ nhs employee you have to declare just about any gift ( certainly if it's over £10)

As for mental health, I’ve followed Lobella loves ss I had PND with my first, and I don’t thing she’s all thinking that ‘depression wears lippy’ for everyone (someone posted on this earlier but I can’t find it. So sorry) I think her idea was to acknowledge that often the stereotype is that depression doesn’t wear lippy, and so she was trying to reach a minority for whom makeup etc might be A way of them trying to seem okay when they’re not. That’s the gist I got. I don’t follow Natasha bailie but mamasscrapbook talks about mental health a lot but I think she’s a psychologist or something of that line. She does these live chats and answers questions. I think some good things are happening, there just needs to be more transparency. @featheringtheemptynest also is doing amazing stuff for charity and shares her story to help others. Hmmm it’s soneasy to get luered into following who everyone else’s is but I just try and follow people who give me something too! I follow most of the girls mentioned in these threads. Lots of chat about showing their kids and whether or not it’s fair. I think again, social media and this level of exposure is so new and we aren’t all knowing the risks. It’s easy to assume that parents have thought this best for everyone but ultimately these choices are in the hands of the parents. We can be quite trusting and hopefully, most of the time that ends up okay. I put photos of my kids on my page, intact it’s full of them, as does my husband. His is private and mine isn’t. I’ve felt comfortable about this but I haven’t thought too much. Maybe I need to - even if I come to the conclusion that it’s okay. Hmm it’s hard to say when you’ve not got 10,000 followers and only 67 family and friends 😂. Anyway, I said I’d go to sleep.

@pavllovaprincess ah well always wine. But candles and handwritten stuff from the kids is good. But really nice when you get the parents writing in the card too about whether they’ve enjoyed you teaching because those things always got me!! Anything really.

@reallycantbebothered could they be sent to your partner? If you were an NHS employee? (Not accusing, just wondering) but if brands sent things to a partner maybe it would be different. And then maybe by showing them it's not such a breach of ASA etc

Before this thread ends how much would a review of a free product by a f/blogger influence you? Surely its a very different recommendation to when its chosen and paid for by a blogger? Especially highly priced items.

Dont give them ideas @mumofkids.

Totally OT (sorry CadyHeron)

Eh?

I don't trust sm at all now!

@Lateforall thank you! That's good to know (especially the bit about the card).

Teacher gifts, if my kids are really fond of the teacher I get them to choose a little something (hotel chocolat lolly or fath kidston mug etc) with a handwritten card but so it's a gift from them. I like the idea of making fudge or something but always assume they'd chuck it thinking they'd no idea if you'd practiced good hygiene 🤣 The first school my kids were at banned end of term gifts as unnecessary so ever since I've always felt s bit weird.

@stella I think a genuine review of a freebie might be interesting but I'd be wary, an ad I'd steeer clear of, something they'd bought themselves I'd be more interested in.

I can't believe that's another thread filled up already!!!

I think someone was paid to defend mod and fod on this thread #fartooinvested

But what mad insta would give a bad review of a freebie? If it's ropey I assume they just don't show it.