#AD

[MintyT]

I don't know about you, but since the instamums posts I have really noticed the #AD on posts, and to be honest I had no idea I was so gullible. I loved the threads regards instamums and really think MN made a small change, well done us

@timetogetanewfence but that is Instagram now isn't it? Rather than pretty squares and following a midwife/doula/life coach/interior designer/mum you follow a business with no real purpose other than making money, usually writing a book, and getting nicer things as free as possible. Therefore you unfollow those that annoy you too much of becaone so far removed from their original account that you're just flicking past. You weigh up the oh another #ad with ahh nice pic.
I loved Martha last year, but now in amongst the towels/flooring/tiles I'm struggling to find that quirky relatable mum I liked. I barely follow any that I liked pre #ad but then I guess the followers like myself have been replaced with people following the accounts for what they are now, social media influencers.

*or become so far removed

See, but all the people I follow I don't expect to necessarily fit one particular aesthetic, for me. That's really how Instagram works. Not everyone is going to fit into one box, and the ones that are less authentic, I tend to just take with a pinch of salt, and the ones that feel more real, I spend more of my time investing in.

That's the thing about social media, it's down to us, as users, to interpret it the way we see fit, and the way it informs our lives. There are so many people who hate-follow because it gives them something to moan about, rather than just either unfollowing, or following for the nice pics, but not buying the things they sell. Isn't that the more rational way of managing it? I find that it produces a lot less rage and envy, that way.

@timetogetanewfence I was only referring to the instamummies, I'd say 95% of the accounts I follow are pretty small and either like minded, similar families, disability, crazy, diverse, life style very different to mine. That's the whole point, but this thread is #ad and about the accounts that use that. Equally if people want to moan about these businesses when they annoy them why not? People can do what they want. I do t ever get enraged by Instagram (except when some yr 8's bully my child) this morning someone I followed did a post and I thought fair play, until I got to the end and thought oh there you go... didn't upset or affect my lovely day in the sun with my family. I think the thing with Instagram is sometimes you follow someone relatively small and watch it explode (or even just get a bit bigger and monetise) I followed MOD as a midwife from 50000 followers and FOD when he was new, down to the accounts with 80 followers and those trying to be a business and get freebies at 10000. Thesethreads highlight people feelings along the way.

I have a close friend that has amassed 700k followers, and another friend has 600. Both of them are trying to make money off Instagram, and have a 'persona', as such, and I think, fair play to them. They're exactly the same in real life as they are on their feed, but people who don't know them think otherwise, and think it's all fake, because, here's the thing: if you don't know someone on social media, you assume things. Everyone's a critic. Both women get free stuff, and they both wouldn't say no to a free spa weekend or a holiday with their family. I dunno, but because I see both sides, I think it's easy to criticise when you're not in their shoes. I'm a writer- for me, Instagram is a fantastic place to make connections and make a bit of money. Is that insincere? Others may think so, but I think if you brand it wisely, and want to make money of social media, it's there to be made. Is that hurting anyone? Is it hurting your own kids and your own family, as you watch them? Nope.

And again, let me be very clear, as I've said before: ad disclosure and being transparent is hugely important. But, let's take that aside. Let's imagine that everyone's disclosing ads when they're meant to be disclosed. Fine. What about all the other stuff: they're still people, sharing stuff that they like even though they're not getting paid for it. They still love the fact that they have nice houses and nice cars and they can afford fancy restaurants and nice clothes. I don't see any problem with having money and spending it the way they want to.

@timetogetanewfence I notice though you say that these women are the same on their accounts as the women you know. And that people make assumptions. If I follow an account and de use it's to #ad, I unfollow, if I follow an account of an inspiring midwife who morphs into a massive social influencer occasionally trotting out an entry from her blog (6 years ago) which made her likeable, am I not allowed to notice or question the change. And whilst you say there are not hurting their families and children using them to make money, the reality is you have no idea of the impact on these children as they grow and dealing with the spotlight their parents have chosen to put them under. It's also fair to say that many of these accounts did not start out to make money, that was unexpected and it's been an extremely fast rollercoaster.
The problem is no one longer believes anything these people recommend as they are either looking for freebies or are being paid.

I agree @Mumofkids - one of the well known IGers that I follow commented over the weekend that she never posts about her children and that her, now teenage, son is glad that she respected his privacy growing up. They are easy money - but, wow, would you actually be part of this social experiment with your own children. It's interesting that the IGers crying foul and slinging bullying accusations never want to engage on this very important subject.

But (and I’m genuinely not trying to be argumentative here)... it’s their kids. Their choice. Why do you care?? I’m still confused. Is it about disclosing ads here, or is it about their parenting choices? And if it’s abkut their kids, why do you care about their own parenting choices? Does it affect you or your kids? Why are you so invested in the welfare of children you don’t know? I mean, I don’t to stand maybe, if it was your distant family or something, but even so. People make their own choices. Some choices might be more dramatic than others. But that’s not your problem is it? Leave them to it.

*I’d understand

Because people do care about things outside of their own families! It's pretty narrow minded to only care about things that directly apply to you and your kids.

The effects of social media, junk food, screen time, school budget cuts are all pretty detrimental to the development of this new generation - they are very interesting and important topics.

@timetogetanewfence and genuinely, what is your problem with discussion? As a whole topic I'm not talking about x's child Joe, we've talked about ads and use of children to monetise accounts. And your quite right it's the choices of these instagrammers to use their children by why on earth can't people who don't make that choice have discussion around it? I don't care about child x, I care about children on social media (my own) and how little regulation there is. But it's from an interest, discussion point of view. It baffles me the people who try to shut down discussion about valid points.
I don't follow accounts just to bitch about them, I just unfollow, but I don't come on here and tell people having a moan about accounts to not moan, if they feel better highlighting someone has pissed them off, so what.
It's like these middle class mothers are so special and precious they are untouchable, but they are no different to reality stars or people off towie. They are selling their lives and kids for quick cash.

I also care about climate change and looking after this planet of ours. If you think about it that's also kind of pointless soon as I'll be dead soon so it won't be MY problem 🤔

And actually it does affect our kids, via social media and via the people around them. One of mine had asked me to monetise my account to get to Disneyland (she's not even fussed with Disney world!) another of mine got sucked into following accounts with make up and clothes and didn't realise that they were receiving freebies and flogging them. It's dangerous.
And what about the kids who grow up in homes where the parents work is a photo of their kids and that gets a free holiday or floor? Growing up having no value to anything accept your looks or saleability.
It's fascinating and seedy. But with growing kids it's very valid to our lives.

Because I work in adult education with young adults and I see how insidious social media is and the effects it has on them. The moment anyone tries to claim the moral high ground and claim #mentalhealth as their foot soldier, I get cross. Not sure that makes me over invested, but, if so, so be it.

It is very arrogant, I think, to decide that what you do is good SM for people’s #mentalhealth and what someone else does is bad SM for people’s #mentalhealth. I’d probably find being insulted on AIBU less of a problem mental health-wise than constantly being subjected to perfect lives on instagram (especially with no #ad to let me know these people weren’t even funding their own lives). I don’t think Natasha Bailie knows eveyone’s mental health issues and triggers - one woman’s mumsnet is another woman’s instagram, surely?

I reported two undisclosed ads thanks to the previous threads. One the regulator said did meet guidelines (tagging promotion I think), and the other one regulator said didn’t and the advertiser has been contacted (not the instagrammer herself though). I am a lot more aware of hidden intatagram ads now, and am glad for the #ad hashtag as I just flick through those stories or ignore those posts.

I can't get my head around people not caring about the effects that social media are having on this and future generations if left unchecked. The comments on these threads have really helped me re-assess how I interact with social media and what I am comfortable with my family doing and sharing. I've taken steps to address certain things because of these threads. I find it a really bizarre suggestion that you should only care about things if they affect your immediate family.

The blend of "I'm there for campaigning for mums' mental health. #yougotthis" and the next post being "mmm drink this twinings tea, it's so relaxing #ad" just jars, it's so distasteful. Where is the integrity?

I found Natasha Bailie's page and had a look. There is a video there making a number of entirely unsubstantiated, vague, allegations.

I'm fed up with trans activists and instagrammers telling me what I can and can't talk about. I hope Justine tells her to be kind and fuck off

Dont forget - paid ads to say thanks to midwives. How very sincere.

@mrsjamin and I think this is what is such a valid point. When the account and posts change from hidden ad, 'oh gosh I just love p nappies' to how can I talk about these nappies in a genuine way whilst being paid for it? All of the credibility flies out of the window.
I like genuine recommendations and information, MP's cruise was actually the first time I've looked at a cruise any other way than 'how dreadful' I thought it was an informative #ad
Someone else's fairly miserable holiday to St Lucia looked awful! The accommodation looked dark and unwelcoming, the resorts not that appealing. There was little information and comments on posts were borderline offensive.
I think to come across as genuine you have to be very careful who you work with and what you endorse.
The post about #dearmumsnet still has incredibly low likes and there are a number of comments on their questioning it's relevance and whether bullying took place. None of these have responses.

If only good mental health were achievable through the acts of drinking Twinings and eating Quorn... just imagining a world where seriously depressed 'mamas' quaff a Quorn spag bol and feel instantly better...

Someone said, on one of these previous threads (forgot which one, there are too many to count by now), that if you’re getting upset about how a SM account is affecting your mental health, it’s your issue, not theirs. It’s your responsibility to use it wisely, and educate your kids about how to use it wisely. It’s not their responsibility. Wise words, I think.

If I feel envy, or anger, or upset about a social media account, then I need to look at why. Can I change it, or influence them? Then I’ll try. If it doesn’t work, then it’s up to me to change my tactic. Can’t keep beating your head against a wall about social media because sometimes, you’re the one that ends up getting all ragey, and then nothing changes.

I love a robust discussion, but caring about how people use their other kids? Surely you can spend more time caring about the long term effects of climate change, as one person brought up...

I don't feel 'ragey' at all. On the whole I find their saccharine world amusing more than anything else.