Ethics regarding Instamums and huns

[BurberryIsSo2000]

Homeisthecalm here, I think it's suitable to start a new ethics thread.

Since clearly, the one from yesterday isn't really about ethics but Clemmie.

Thanks all,

Keep it as nice or as stingy as you like

I'll start off by saying things should be clearly marked 'ad' or 'gifted'

Although the term gifted gives me the rage

Reading - if fashion is what you like looking at, that's good. I personally like the fact there's choice out there though.
I'd rather gouge at my own eyes than follow some twiggy clothes horse lossoping about in skimpy dresses.
I follow parenting IG feeds or blogs though as it's more relatable. Kind of a window into other lives, so to speak. Kind of exactly the same on MN.

I don't think it's that fast moving, and I manage perfectly well following the thread. It's much harder with chunks of text being repeated constantly.

Anyway, totally understand your dislike of 'lossoping' models. But as discussed extensively, I don't find the big instamum accounts relatable at all.

You follow them all, you must relate on some level otherwise you wouldn't be so interested.
I don't follow many fashion feeds. As I don't relate to them.
Following them as I don't relate to them?.... strange.

There is only a few of us posting atm it’s really easy to follow. The bolding thing is funny, I’m sure it’s being used far more now on Mn. Saying someone’s username is usually enough

I guess I’m not looking for relatability (a word?) and don’t look for it on IG. But find the whole use your child thing odd anyway.

But I reckon there is a difference between just not liking stuff (where it’s just oh ok fair enough) and actually talking about why you might find something dubious. Hence all the threads, articles and comments I suppose.

I think the tricky part is when a ig personality transitions from just posting to suddenly having a large following and having brands want to work with them/advertise through them. I guess that’s where all this frustration stems from on ig. Most of the accounts that cop the most flak (sp?) are the ones that started off small and interesting in their own right but grew into a profitable business. These accounts seemed not to originally be set up to earn money but suddenly followers are being advertised to and feel a bit used and tricked I suppose?
I feel like I’m rambling, but I guess what I’m saying is if ‘influencers’ start off being very transparent as soon as they begin paid/sponsored posts then maybe their audience will be less critical of their actions. And I guess also limiting the quantity of ads, so the promotions do t feel so constant.

Cady, I used to follow them. I stopped after the ad free holiday fest from most of them last summer.

Another issue that the success of the large children focused accounts has spawned a host of smaller accounts forcing their children centre forward. Some everyday weight loss accounts (one chef mum in London who moans about her 2 lovely daughters at every opportunity), interiors accounts and lifestyle accounts have all suddenly zoned in on the fact that selling their kids leads to the cash. It's unethical. And they know it. Seeing kids play their part in the ads is really disgraceful as they don't know what they are doing and why. And making them open the gifts is nauseating. Lots of the kids also now travel to the 'events'.

I think it's all going to come crashing down down. How can it possibly continue unchecked?

It's interesting that there's lots of the instamums on these threads.... even if their names don't give them away here their writing style and arguments give them away. I know sjv posts here as do others including cb. That's why I respect MP. She posts openly and honestly. The irony of the instamums wailing about 'anonymous mumsnet trolls' but remaining anonymous themselves!

Readingchair - you say you "used to" follow them. You have a hell of a lot of knowledge of what is and isn't being posted on several accounts and by who, and admitted that you are eagerly awaiting news on some.
You're a hell of lot more into parenting accounts then you're willing to admit to yourself.

Babbas what makes you say that? I thought SV posted openly. I don't recognise CB's style at all? The only really pro insta posters are SofiaLemon and CadyHeron.

CadyHeron the OD 'eagerly awaiting' remark was tongue in cheek. Although I am genuinely interested how these accounts will evolve - or I wouldn't be in here commenting. I do 'check in' on a few of them - fod, cb, ct. I don't follow them as I don't want to feather their nests. The same way I read Grazia at the dentists, but I don't buy it.

fivelittleduckies - I agree re: the there should be a nice balance between ads and content.
So annoying when it's constant adverts and nothing else, I like organic content most.Not everything should be ad. Fastest way to turn away people.

babas Susie JV has posted openly on here, as did MOD. Would love to know who you think is hiding out here as I completely disagree. Do you mean cady & Sofia? As they are the main voices of ‘defence’ but I think they are legit, just a different view.

This thread has taken a very familiar turn.

Other poster: I have some serious concerns about influencers using their children to make money.
Cady: You LOVE Instamums. Look at you, talking about them all the time.
Other poster: No I don't, it only takes two seconds to see what they're up to online. They have public profiles so you don't even need to follow them.
Cady: OMG why are you so obsessed with them?
Other poster: I'm not. I just want to talk about ethics.
Cady: For somebody that claims not to like them, you sure enjoy talking about them.
Other poster: Yes because I think it's an interesting discussion to have. MOD, for example...
Cady: OMG why are you so obsessed with MOD?

Repeat ad infinitum.

Reading - you clarified by saying it wasn't a joke and you really were when asked by someone else.
It was a revealing comment and said a lot even now you're backtracking and saying that now it is a tongue in cheek comment (but you said it wasn't before, you meant it.)

Jam - being wilfully obtuse there.

Jam

Peppa - no idea who they're referring to, interested to know myself. As it certainly isn't me.

Cady I was being facetious - for a bit too long admittedly. I realised my tone was falling flat and everyone rightly ignored me

waits patiently for Cady heron to cut and paste everything I have ever said

Peppap is it even a different view or just arguing for the sake of arguing? It gets so tedious. One minute it's personal, these are just people, it's out of order to discuss, next it's a business what do you expect they need to pay their bills, then your all obsessed but I'm unbelievably obsessed with this thread and just can't leave it alone, but your all more obsessed heehee it's like high school.
Jam has it nailed.

I don’t know bored , I’ve been on these threads and have NCed. I like to think the dedication they put in means they are genuine or they would’ve got bored and picked another argument somewhere else.

And don't get me started on the pick up on one comment 8 threads ago and repeat it like it was a common theme/part of conversation. But if anyone has read back or followed any threads they know that it was just one random comment or opinion. Very good way of seeing off conversation though.
Cue-is it conversation though or just a nasty undercurrent of bitching... and carry on for another 8 pages. Glad I have my kids to spend the day with.

Peppap genuine posters I agree, but the arguments change like the wind.
The 'eagerly awaiting' was clearly facetious, yes I'm sure the poster is following to see what happens, but nobody eagerly awaits the return of an IG mum for the love of god. It can be a facetious little laugh but not mean the poster is some kind of sick lying evil follower. I read it in the tone intended.
It is troublesome on threads that tone is undetected because it means some posters pick up relentlessly on fairly unimportant parts of conversation. It happened to me earlier in the thread and was dull and exhausting to explain when I'm not some kind of crazy stalker or weirdo.

Sorry to butt in, but I alluded to a poster being missing. Glad to say she has turned up safe and well in the other thread, so not being forced to become an instamum after all!