Continuing the discussion around instagram influencers and ethics

[bawbles]

Continued from old thread

I think everybody has agreed with those pints about Laura so not sure what thread you've been reading. Apart from your lack of memory at what happened. Says it all really.

@SpongeBobGrannyPants
I only posted as someone asked where me & Cady were. I still read the threads but tbh it's pretty boring when it's just the odd post about reporting people (mostly unsuccessfully) to the ASA. It seems despite posting the ASA guidelines numerous times over the many threads many Mumsnetters still don't understand them.

It's always the same on here, anyone with a difference of opinion (as in does not have an issue with all the people you love to complain about) is wrong.

I just don't understand why you all follow so many people you seem to dislike so much, and why waste your time reporting people to the ASA? It's so petty.

Tbf Laura's account is private. I don't think you can even get into bed with brands or monetise anything if you have a private account?

It seems despite posting the ASA guidelines numerous times over the many threads many Mumsnetters still don't understand them

See that’s what I’d call a thick comment. And it’s deflection again.

The point (as if it still needs spelling out after so many threads) is that despite influencers operating within the letter of the ASA, many, many followers and users of instagram feel that they do not operate within the spirit of it. I understand the ASA regulations but I don’t think they currently go far enough. And that’s what people are saying.

The ASA regulations exist to protect consumers from being outright lied or missold to.

Time and time again people on these threads have said that they do feel lied to and missold to by influencers, which is a problem for the influencers and for the brands because it destroys trust and leaves a bad taste in the mouth.

Just because the ASA regs don’t cover all loopholes, doesn’t mean that those loopholes aren’t disingenuous.

It's always the same on here, anyone with a difference of opinion (as in does not have an issue with all the people you love to complain about) is wrong.

Not 'wrong' as such. Just yet to put across a convincing argument as to why it's OK to exploit your kids in that way.

@frompovertytoprosecco

I have no issue with kids being used even if it is to promote so have no problem with the ethics of Laura posting pics of her siblings.

I find it strange that she tags the brands in if she has no desire to be an influencer, but then maybe she does want to be one, I don't know. I'm not sure how she's any better or different to the likes of MOD though, because she posts about feminism & equal rights as well as posting pretty pics of herself and family?

@HRHCatherinePrincessofWales

But what is the point of reporting insta posts, that (whether you like it or not) are following the guidelines?

anyone with a difference of opinion (as in does not have an issue with all the people you love to complain about) is wrong

See, again I’d disagree. Lots of posters have spent a lot of time laying out very considered and valid arguments against what they perceive as unethical practises employed by influencers.

Anyone arguments I’ve seen in defence of those practises (let’s face it, mainly from you and Cady and one or two ‘others’) basically boil down to: ‘their bubz, their rulez hun’ and ‘you’re all just jealous haters.’

No one to date on these threads has managed to make a convincing argument for monetising children’s privacy in exchange for freebies and internet fame. Not on person has actually been able to cogently argue the points in favour of it.

Because I don’t think there are any.

If you are going to discuss the rights and wrongs of using kids on accounts then clearly Laura using her siblings comes under the same bracket as everyone else? Why would she be different.
A different viewpoint or valid reason would be interesting, just that you would happily do it, not so much.
Laura's account being private must be new as it wasn't when I followed her.

But what is the point of reporting insta posts, that (whether you like it or not) are following the guidelines?

Because the ASA regulations are not rigidly written in stone. They’re revised and tweaked all the time as media and technology evolves to create ever more diverse advertising platforms. If enough complaints are received, the ASA will understand which gaps still need plugging.

@Moonkissedlegs

I hadn't noticed it's now private, it didn't used to be.

It’s different because LH isn’t advertising anything. She has tens of thousands of followers so I’m assuming any tags on clothing are to save answering where clothes are from! She recently posted that she co-parents her siblings alongside their mother so I’m fairly sure posting pics of her family on her Instagram account where she’s not monetising it is fine by everyone. She isn’t a business in any way, just a woman with an Instagram account

And I’m not surprised that LH had to go private after the way MOD bullied & embarrassed her

Yes Laura Hesketh doesn’t make money off her siblings. And her account is private now because, presumably she got a bit freaked or at the idea of their images being viewable by so many people after she picked up so many new followers after #kardashianlollygate. Like any reasonable, normal person who values their privacy.

I'm not surprised she has gone private after some of the appalling comments about her on here over the last day.

@HRHCatherinePrincessofWales

Tbh I think social media is so big and changes so quickly it is virtually impossible to monitor anyway. They could bring in new guidelines but I very much doubt they have the resources to keep a check on it. For every account they get a complaint about there'll be thousands more doing the exact same thing.

Personally I think if you have an issue with children being used to promote brands (gifted or actual ads) and feel most instamums or bloggers are narcissistic then it's best to unfollow those people.

If people are stupid enough to think that because someone on instagram has lovely clothes, a beautiful home and goes on lots of holidays (paid for or not) that they should have the same, and get in debt to do so, then that is their problem, no one else's.

I still read the threads but tbh it's pretty boring when it's just the odd post about reporting people.

Sofia freely admitting she just comes back when the bitching starts then. Which we all knew anyway.

@HRHCatherinePrincessofWales

Yes Laura Hesketh doesn’t make money off her siblings. And her account is private now because, presumably she got a bit freaked or at the idea of their images being viewable by so many people after she picked up so many new followers after #kardashianlollygate. Like any reasonable, normal person who values their privacy.

She has over 20,000 followers, she obviously isn't that bothered about privacy!

@SpongeBobGrannyPants

I'll comment if I'm mentioned, usually it's someone insinuating I am an "instamum" or that I change my name on the threads.

cash has a post up atm about MOD following her under a new account after being blocked!

There's a nasty nasty side to this MOD

LH has a massive issue with MOD and since I presume MOD has blocked her she is now going after anyone else who she can’t her gang can go after. I’ve watched it unfold and it’s the same accounts that are sitting in the wings waiting to pounce. MOD didn’t bully LH she privately dm her and asked her to stop, then LH clearly wasn’t going to. Apparently she also had issues with her Wateraid trip.

Tbh I think social media is so big and changes so quickly it is virtually impossible to monitor anyway. They could bring in new guidelines but I very much doubt they have the resources to keep a check on it. For every account they get a complaint about there'll be thousands more doing the exact same thing

Well that’s where you’re wrong. Any paid for social marketing activity by a brand will be part of a media plan with that brand’s media agency. So very easily traceable. The ASA only needs to receive one complaint to trigger an investigation.

And brand’s have in-house legal teams which monitor any defaming or rights-infringing online activity that they haven’t paid for. It’s pretty easy to monitor. You just need to brief an intern to google search the brand name and then check everything that comes up. Sure, the internet is a massive place and some things fall through the cracks, but Its getting harder to hide.

But again, the nub of your statement seems to be, ‘well the ASA can’t do anything and social media’s too big to monitor, so influencers can just do what they like and what’s anyone gonna do about it?’

@Mummyshephard

It’s different because LH isn’t advertising anything. She has tens of thousands of followers so I’m assuming any tags on clothing are to save answering where clothes are from! She recently posted that she co-parents her siblings alongside their mother so I’m fairly sure posting pics of her family on her Instagram account where she’s not monetising it is fine by everyone. She isn’t a business in any way, just a woman with an Instagram account

So someone with thousands of followers can post pics of kids and tag the brands (as long as they're not being paid) but someone else can't do that, because sometimes they are being paid?

It's still pics of kids with a brand tagged in, which thousands of strangers can look at. What is the difference, in terms of safety, getting the kids to pose, promoting a brand (whether paid or not)??? Other instamums are also "just a woman with an instagram account".