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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to ask if you think 'INFLUENCERS' deserve the criticism and backlash they get?

115 replies

FloatingForest · 02/02/2021 16:47

Do you think it is unfair the amount of criticism influences/social media and content representatives get? (pre and during the covid pandemic)

There has been a massive backlash in those who are currently travelling in Dubai/Maldives and posting photographs on social media - I have seen a lot of hate that has been generated - do you think it is a fair response?

Before covid, it seemed that many influencers were ashamed to admit what they did as a living as there is a negative stigma.

Not a journalist - interested in your thoughts and experiences!!!

OP posts:
slashlover · 02/02/2021 19:48

Did anyone see Dr Mike preaching to everyone about COVID safety, but then goes on a boat party for his birthday and proclaims that he did his own safety assessment!!

I went off Dr Mike as soon as he started pushing Noom.

Roominmyhouse · 02/02/2021 19:56

The thing is that it is a job now. But like any job you have to take responsibility and be accountable for your actions. I have no problem with those who are clear about their advertising and follow the guidelines. What I don’t like is the lies some of them tell.

At the same time I have to agree that if you choose to put your whole life online then you have to take the good with the bad.

Pippin2028 · 02/02/2021 19:58

I believe so much of the influencer life is fake. Imagine having to video and photograph every moment to show perfection and not enjoying the moment at all. Also many of the girls who went out to Dubai are escorting, and its not just sex that they do, some really grim things are involved in what they have to do to flash their lavish lifestyle. Also they all take the photos in the exact same spots in dubai, if you look closely its always the same backgrounds. And you never see them do anything cultural like the souq, the closesy they do cultural wise is a ride on a camel, than a photo in the desert doing a pose the locals would deem inappropriate. Plus places like the Maldives are cheaper than usual as they are desperate to get tourism going again. In about 10 years, all the stories of what happened on those lavish holidays in Dubai will come out for sure and we will know there is nothing to be envious about!

maddiemookins16mum · 02/02/2021 20:03

I detest them. My DD 16 talks about these people with awe, I have to bite my tongue when she says she admires some of them.

TangoWhiskyAlphaTango · 02/02/2021 20:04

@FloatingForest

I have just thought of this!

So pre covid myself and my dp went on a city break to Venice, we are cheap skates (ha) so grabbed some pizza from a side vendor and sat outside.. we were looking out on to a popular bridge where people were taking photographs of each other.. fair enough.. anyway there was this young woman (early 20s?) And her poor boyfriend was stood there taking photographs of her whilst she adjusted her pose each snap.
We continued eating and 5 mins later they were still there.. for a laugh we timed how long they were stood there of him taking photos.. this is no exaggeration... 33 minutes!!!!!!!!! In the same spot.. with continuous snaps. He must have taken THOUSANDS of photos of her.

Not sure if that is relevant.. but I think it goes to show how staged social media is and I agree with a previous poster its very damaging. Not only do some take hundreds of photos for the one shot but they get edited so much.. unrealistic and harmful to the current and future generations!

Dh and I stayed in this really beautiful place in Morocco, out in the Atlas Mountains. Although only 7 rooms people could come there for lunch. There we were enjoying the peace when this group of young women arrived (early 20s I reckon), twatting around, posing, squealing and taking photo after photo of each other in revealing bikinis. Rather than enjoy the gorgeous surrounding they were only bothered about likes for the gram - we sat there watching with our mouths open as its so so superficial and shallow.
redsquirrelfan · 02/02/2021 20:09

I find the whole concept of being an influencer as a career very odd. As people, they are so vacuous. I would hate to work for a company that actually puts money their way. And influencing certainly isn't a critical job that requires you to travel overseas (or at all) during a pandemic.

But I agree it's probably even more embarrassing to be the influenced.

HyggaeHugger · 02/02/2021 20:12

The only influencers I follow are guinea pig influencers who vlog or Instagram about their guinea pigs,.I don't really find the others interesting.

I would be a bit Hmm about them travelling abroad during a pandemic, but it depends whether they doing it as part of the job or not? I mean, a travel influencer, would need to travel, I guess?

Markies · 02/02/2021 20:15

Half of them are in Dubai for work purposes. You know, being shat on by rich men.

youkiddingme · 02/02/2021 20:16

I think whoever coined the term 'influencer' did bloggers no favours. I used to blog and may well go back to it some time, but I utterly cringe at the word influencer.
I have found the odd recipe or crafting technique or such like useful on blogs. However 'influenced' - no.

UndertheCedartree · 02/02/2021 20:16

I have a friend who makes money advertising on Instagram. I find her a really positive role model as she is very honest about her life. She posts gorgeous photos of herself, her kids and her home. But she also posts pictures of her house when it is a tip, posts pictures of her looking scruffy and her post-baby body, as well as is honest when the kids are driving her up the wall. She also shows nice outfits or gifts that she has got for the DC from Primark or other cheap places. her posts are often funny and make me laugh. She is making some money - good for her.

Indecisive12 · 02/02/2021 20:20

@UndertheCedartree

I have a friend who makes money advertising on Instagram. I find her a really positive role model as she is very honest about her life. She posts gorgeous photos of herself, her kids and her home. But she also posts pictures of her house when it is a tip, posts pictures of her looking scruffy and her post-baby body, as well as is honest when the kids are driving her up the wall. She also shows nice outfits or gifts that she has got for the DC from Primark or other cheap places. her posts are often funny and make me laugh. She is making some money - good for her.
Is it Stacey Solomon? I love her, I find her very honest and genuine. I wouldn’t call her an influencer but she definitely uses her influence for good.
DK123 · 02/02/2021 20:23

I don't like them. They are making money out of fuelling a consumer industry that causes young and naive people to buy things they cannot afford and do not need, many of which are just overpriced tat. They give a very false impression of their lives and appearances, causing many people to feel inadequate and insecure. A fair number of them are prostitutes and lead teenage girls to believe that they are "business women" and their lifestyle is attainable. I also don't think that plastic surgery should be so normalised. Whilst people are idiotic to be influenced by them, a lot of those who are will be teenagers and people with insecurities.

rawalpindithelabrador · 02/02/2021 20:24

@VeryQuaintIrene

Really, it's much more embarrassing that people apparently choose to be "influenced" by them or pay them any attention at all.
This.
hibbledibble · 02/02/2021 20:28

I hate everything about social media 'influencers'. They are people who gain fame for no reason, and seem to use their 'influence' for personal gain, not any social good, for the most part.

I met a couple recently, and it only confirmed what I had thought. They were entitled, vacuous, and lacked basic manners.

Fairyliz · 02/02/2021 20:45

@VeryQuaintIrene

Really, it's much more embarrassing that people apparently choose to be "influenced" by them or pay them any attention at all.
This. I don’t care what they do as I’m not influenced by them.

But taking it further why are all of these football matches being played. They surely are not essential? It’s the same thing just about making money.

MrsMcTats · 02/02/2021 22:00

My issue with a lot of the parent 'influencers' I follow is that they can not accept a single word of criticism. Not vile messages, just a polite comment to question something they've said or done. They cry 'troll' and delete. One I follow has turned off comments, so no-one can ever question her. I think that is very dangerous, that they become people who can say/sell anything they want, with no come back. They seem to forget that their followers pay their bills - without followers engaging, they would not get brand deals, they would not have anyone to buy their merchandise or click on their affiliate links. They want followers for those purposes, but don't want them to have an opinion.

LastStarFighter · 02/02/2021 22:07

I think an influencer is just a continuation of other things.

Those that post about travel and exotic locations are just a step further than travel bloggers, who were just a step further than similar TV programmes. What was the old one? “Wish You Were Here” or something similar? It’s all the same thing. I don’t see why they should get such stick.

ChinookPilotsGoVertical · 02/02/2021 22:16

Influencer = vacuous, workshy, freeloading cunt.

hansgrueber · 02/02/2021 22:23

@VeryQuaintIrene

Really, it's much more embarrassing that people apparently choose to be "influenced" by them or pay them any attention at all.
Are people actually 'influenced' by them? I've heard people on TV describe their job as being an influencer, how do they become one or do they self-appoint themselves? It seems to be the natural follow on from 'life-style coaches', whatever they achieved.
hansgrueber · 02/02/2021 22:28

@Thewiseoneincognito

I’m more sceptical of who exactly they influence. Utterly pointless. To answer your questions yes they do deserve the criticism.
Presumably they influence people as thick as themselves so they all deserve each other. Maybe we will look back on COvid as the death-knell of the vacuous cult of celebrity and genuine people will be looked up to.
Macncheeseballs · 02/02/2021 22:28

Underthecedartree - why not be your own role model? I can't understand the need for role models, I just live my life

Mreggsworth · 02/02/2021 22:29

I'm very against influencers. Think they cause more bad than good.

Posting heavily edited, body morphed photos and denying it is photo shopped.

Holly Hogan is one I see on geordie shore. Shows off her stomach and claims shes been working hard, when you can actually see the incision lines from liposuction.

What I find disturbing is when they are seeing pics of girls with their lipped plumped or bum enhanced I've seen comments from young girls discussing saving up to get that procedure.

So many young women are using these pay in installment things and its because they are being so 'influenced' and feel they need these things.

I used to work with adolescence and I have heard a few young girls when asked what they want to be when they are older say "influencer"

And 100% all these in Dubai deserve abuse. If you want to literally make your career trying to influence people, and you end up influencing people to be selfish and disregard rules because your need to sit next to a pool with a cocktail is greater than helping to stop a spread of a virus and showing solidarity to your followers then you deserve to be called out on that.

MichelleScarn · 02/02/2021 22:34

Before covid, it seemed that many influencers were ashamed to admit what they did as a living as there is a negative stigma. how could this work, would this not be obvious what they did for a living due to all the photos and social media that is like essential to being an influencer?

Sheleg · 02/02/2021 22:35

They seem to forget that their followers pay their bills - without followers engaging, they would not get brand deals, they would not have anyone to buy their merchandise or click on their affiliate links.

It's a Faustian pact. That's what it boils down to.

Iaintaffraidofcoldtoast · 02/02/2021 22:41

My dd lives in Dubai, she’s a ‘minor’ influencer where she eats out in restaurants or receives take seats for free for promoting it. It works out well for her as food is expensive Dubai!