Instamums (continued)

[MrBull]

Not a TAAT

I doubt whether they would have been sent them. They wouldn’t know who is in the game as there isn’t any register of influencers? I would hope they circulate them to the ones who have been the subject of complaints though 🤣. Looking at the ASA twitter feed as well it is being promoted - was on the Victoria Derbyshire show by looks of it. So pleasing to see ASA and CMA working together on this at last.

I guess it'll take time to feed through then. If as many of the instamums read these threads as we're led to believe we'll maybe be doing them a favour promoting it on here! It's a really positive change though.

None of them read mumsnet apparently

Minty has it. Dress it up all you like, the subject's been done to death.
I've not been on the last three threads at all, just eye rolled at them and scrolled by.
Interesting that every.single.one. of them got pulled because it always descends into bitchiness if you actually do stick to the topics.
Only so many times you can say "but won't you think of the children" or say hashtag greedy grabby if they dare to get something for what you perceive to be free.

Even when they declare, use the correct hashtags, declare #ad at the start, you're STILL not satisfied and yes, too right I'd be dropping HQ a message of I saw myself being torn apart on here every single damn day
Exactly, so would I. Must be awful to be on the receiving end of. Whatever they do, it's never right.

As in

Thread - went poof.

Thread 2 - went poof.

Thread 3 (this one) - blatantly yet another TAAT so probably won't last long either. Unless you manage an actual thread that does stick to non bitching/nastiness.
Fair enough,will be interesting to see.

Well, that was an epic fail. Every several months or so I do a name change (usual privacy, blah blah). Changed back just for this thread so that I was commenting with the same name as before on Insta threads.
Sigh. I blame the lack of wine and the fact it's late and I'm knackered but can't sleep

Minty. I have been on these. Never been mean at all. Interested in the discussion and the ethics. Please don't tar all with the same brush. I agree the last one got personal and was uncomfortable and said that on the thread.

Yes, it's been discussed. But why give up discussing something that is relevant where in reality what we're talking about is changes being made?

If I want to push for change at work I don't just give up because I've discussed it already. If I think it's the right thing to do I continue to look at ways to make it happen (diplomatically).

This is a huge topical thing - children being used as selling tools, clear advertising, the issue of bullying and being fair online. I report anyone not advertising clearly and not just instamums. It's a wider topic.

There are plenty of other repetitive threads on here.

So, I plan on not being personal and I'm sure those on this thread will agree to that too.

I made a valid point on the last thread that no-one commented on about an instagrammer doing a chat on online safety for kids, but at the same time is putting all sorts of info about her childrens lives on there. I find that deeply ironic and do thinknit is a good point for discussion- anyone?

too right I'd be dropping HQ a message of I saw myself being torn apart on here every single damn day

This, agree. Doesn't mean they can't be discussed fairly.

I’ve been on pretty much all the threads and never had a post deleted either (can you say the same Cady?). So can’t you just let us get on with discussing politely the issues we do care about? The ASA/CMA guide is actually a big deal for those of us that have been following this issue for a while.

I made a valid point on the last thread that no-one commented on about an instagrammer doing a chat on online safety for kids, but at the same time is putting all sorts of info about her childrens lives on there. I find that deeply ironic and do thinknit is a good point for discussion- anyone?

It really really bothers me to see these women who have followers in the thousands posting photos of their kids in school uniforms. How do they not see the danger in this?

I find the issue of child privacy a more difficult one to discuss than ad disclosure because it is so personal. Perhaps also because it's so new and we are only really finding out why it is important now and possibly won't know all the effects for many years to come. I do absorb the information on these threads and have made my own decisions. My account is locked and I have culled my follower down to a fairly low number so I know them all in RL. I do however share plenty of pictures of my children but I am not monetising my account and it is completely private - I have stopped posting them on FB because I think it is even less secure. Someone would have to steal the photos to do something with them (I know this is a possibility of course), but anyone that is already in my followers list already knows where my children go to school and lots of other facts about them so I take that chance. I thought SMS's responses on MP's post about child privacy were well thought out, I was very impressed with how she dealt with being pulled into that discussion when it could have been awkward for her.

Regarding the Insta, I can think of at least two bloggers who have written extensive guides for other bloggers on how to disclose monetised instagram posts who I consider to be poor disclosers themselves and who certainly wouldn't meet the requirements in that new ad disclosure guide issued yesterday. I think some instas like to get a hook (whether it is child privacy or something else) and use it to create content, rather than actually believing in it and doing it themselves. So yes, I find it ironic, but not surprising.

Reading the guide properly now, and it really is great. It covers control, affiliate links, gifting, which hashtags are preferred and where to put the hashtag. All the stuff we have been banging on about as problems.

I would love to see one of the prominent Instagrammers featuring it on their page. I can't think of many that could do it with a straight face though

I'm in a similar place to yourself re privacy spirit. I share far less these days, to a much smaller audience of people I actually know in person, and all accounts are private.

It would be great to see some Instagrammers share that new guide. Some of the big accounts (who from recollection are pretty good at disclosure now) could possibly do it quite well. Gi Fletcher, Unmumsy Mum etc.

I agree that threads about the ethics/transparency around the whole #ad thing is a good idea! But I’m all honesty, I’ve unfollowed a fair few ‘instamums’ who started off as small accounts doing ; lifestyle, interiors, parenting etc! But the constant ads has put me off following them. There was one in particular who isn’t huge, but is gaining popularity quite quickly, two young Children, who fervently advocated buying from small businesses and supporting her local economy (she actually lives in the same city as me) one business in particular she supported was a friends natural baby products line - things like homemade shampoo, lotion etc and shunning big companies, the next minute she partnered up with Johnson’s and her feed just became littered with pictures of her using their products - it felt very contradictory to her earlier ‘ethos’ and people made it clear they thought she was doing it for money. I unfollowed after that!

I think the big brands had a lot to do with this issue becoming a problem.

On child privacy, I also think it is a far more emotive topic because it is easy for someone to see the discussion as an accusation that they are a bad parent. Saying someone isn't running their business properly doesn't carry the same emotional baggage.

I’ve been in previous threads. It seems odd that it’s not seen as acceptable to discuss Instagram when all people who use it are effectively what makes it now a successful job for so many instamums.
I read the last thread and was suspended after commenting. I used a word that was felt was not following guidelines (although in all honesty whilst my intent was not actually bitchy at all, I’ve no idea how the word I used could be taken so badly it warranted suspension) but there you go. I’ve seen far far worse and in fact their are many threads on here with vile comments and I questioned with MNHQ why my comment was singled out and others much worse left. They informed me it was because they can’t monitor every post so they only delete those reported. (I’ve no issue with my comment being reported- with text people often read something differently to the intent of the words) but it does seem there’s something very different about threads about Instagram and threads about other ‘celebrities’...
I really like the hungermama’s approach. Today she has an ad in stories. But she is exceptionally clear and repeats numerous times how she would benefit from a follower purchase.
I respect this clarity.
I am very very bored of having very rammed in my face. It does make you want to unfollow.

I follow the woodlandwife who posts the most beautiful pictures and promotes a very natural, calm way of life. She made a decision to work with a company for money and a post appeared on her grid. The post received very mixed responses and she had now taken a break as struggled with the number of upset dm’s She received. It was clear she felt attacked.
The problem is when you use a platform and your followers to make money, they may well have something to say.
She had chosen to work with McDonald’s.

Spirit

I completely agree, the big brands are seeing how popular these accounts are becoming and using it as a PR tool almost to make their products more popular, they are seeing more people buy things on the basis that their face instagrammer has got it. The Child privacy issue is a big one, I would never judge anyone as being a bad parent because their Child/ren are featured on their page, however it does feel exploitative at times when they are being used to directly promote products to that particular accounts audience, that does put me off when they are being featured for what is a monetary benefit!

Mighty

I’ve never heard of the woodland wife, but I can see how working with McDonalds can be seen as controversial. we do have a problem with obesity, especially in young Children, being seen to be working with a company that sells junk food and is probably contributing to that particular issue, it’s understandable that some people saw that as inappropriate promotion.

@mauraisles I think the choice was down to the recent happy meals including a Roald Dahl book, so she felt she was supporting/promoting reading. But many followers felt that getting paid by McDonald’s was not inline with her account, and to be honest I don’t think I’d noticed any previous collaborations so when it popped up I was surprised.
I did feel for her.
But perhaps this is one reason discussion/feedback is important because the way your business is delivered through a phone is so immediate and personal.

I really like cookie kibbles

Where has she gone?

The idea these mums are in a bubble rings so true. There was a post the other day that was discussing essential baby items (it may have been making life not just babies) but was basically what can you not live without. The attached photo, was an instamums response. And I just felt like we lived in completely different worlds.
I felt like I ‘needed’ a sleepyhead. But I stood in front of a £155 pillow in mothercare thinking really, is it worth that?
When the reality is these mums got sent them so they could use them an promote them. They didn’t spend their precious pennies. Uber and deliveroo. I’ve never been in a position financially to use either, so ‘essential’?
It’s very privileged lives being sold to us on the gram.
And the fact that these comments are made seriously and these are what they consider essential speaks volumes.

Sorry here’s the comment!