Anyone else annoyed by these semi naked Instagram influencers?

[Charlize43]

A friend of mine and ex work colleague took up running during lockdown and lost several stone over the last year. She has done really well and looks great now with a trim little figure. I've noticed that her instagram which used to be more about walks with her dog, food, plants, sunsets, interior design, etc, is changing completely and now has more and more pictures of her posing in her underwear. She has also started following instagrammers like Zara Mcdermott, Laura Anderson1x and other reality TV stars that are almost always near naked on IG. I wouldn't mind so much if she didn't so on about them so much like they are something to be admired. She's also started saying that she'd love to be an 'influencer.'

I hope I don't sound jealous, but I wondered what everyones view is on these so called influencers? I'm also worried that one thing might lead to another and she might end up getting an Only Fans account.

Is it just me who finds all these near naked women horribly annoying?

To me it seems that more and more young girls are sexualising themselves online just to get likes and validation from strangers. She's 10 years younger than me ( She's 28) so I hope I don't sound like an old fashioned prude. I'm not unattractive but just don't understand this thing about posting pictures in undies like a wannabe Page 3 girl.

I haven't really been able to ask her why she does it as I don't want to rain on her parade since she's really happy about how she looks now. Also I'm well aware it's not my business and she can do what she wants.

Thoughts? AIBU?

YANBU OP. I think it is totally vacuous and going down a wrong path to take up a hobby like this.

I'm 29 and as a teenager took the occasional bikini pic and that was it. This constant self obsession isn't healthy imo.

I work in social media and had to work with influencers. I didn't really respect them and after a few months of being on Instagram multiple times a day I began to feel inferior, whereas before id always been quite comfortable with my body. I mainly avoid it now.

I'm an old academic who works with young people. I loathe the culture of Love Island, Naked Attraction, TOWIE, influencers etc.

I think it's deeply, deeply sad that in 100 years we've gone from Votes for Women and wanting to be respected as intellectual equals to wanting lipfillers, veneers and to be admired for prancing in our pants.

I appreciate that not every young woman looks up to these influencers, but it enrages me that anyone should aspire to this, frankly.

My friend's daughter is an Insta Influencer.

Wouldn't wish it on any of my daughters. She has nearly a million followers, if that's the word.

But the posts with the most likes, according to her mum, are the ones in her Primark (or whatever) underwear.

These pics are obviously used as wanking material, makes me feel sick, she's such a lovely girl.

She gets loads of freebie clothes and makeup, and has quite a good income. But honestly, it's a shallow life. She had an eating disorder too.

@MadMadMadamMim

I'm an old academic who works with young people. I loathe the culture of Love Island, Naked Attraction, TOWIE, influencers etc.

I think it's deeply, deeply sad that in 100 years we've gone from Votes for Women and wanting to be respected as intellectual equals to wanting lipfillers, veneers and to be admired for prancing in our pants.

I appreciate that not every young woman looks up to these influencers, but it enrages me that anyone should aspire to this, frankly.

I have to agree.. 🌸

Surely a higher rate of tax and the end to 'work' trips abroad could help put a stop to this? As long as influencers were not just defined in such a way that men were never included.

Honestly doesn’t bother me. I am all for freedom of choice for women and do not judge. If someone is happy, comfortable, and emotionally well enough to do what they do they can crack on.

Yep! Saw Amanda Holden on there this morning and was like ‘dear god woman!’ She like many others really aren’t helping women are they!!

@PigeonStreet37

Yep! Saw Amanda Holden on there this morning and was like ‘dear god woman!’ She like many others really aren’t helping women are they!!

What? In what way is she supposed to be helping women? Women can do anything they please, some are academic, some stay home, some have high flying careers, women do many things and their choices should be respected.

And I think she looks great. Good for her.

No, I don't find them annoying. I don't follow those people as I'm not really interested in them but I really don't care what other people are doing with their lives, why would I?

Don’t like it , don’t look. Women can make their living via that route if they wish.
Gaining the vote wasn’t just about being equal on a man’a playing field, it’s about freedom to do anything you wish without being judged unfairly for being female.
Instagram is a thing , being an influencer generates a good income . It’s no more vacuous than working in advertising .
To the lady who’s friends daughter has a million followers that’s huge!!! Wow!

@MadMadMadamMim

I'm an old academic who works with young people. I loathe the culture of Love Island, Naked Attraction, TOWIE, influencers etc.

I think it's deeply, deeply sad that in 100 years we've gone from Votes for Women and wanting to be respected as intellectual equals to wanting lipfillers, veneers and to be admired for prancing in our pants.

I appreciate that not every young woman looks up to these influencers, but it enrages me that anyone should aspire to this, frankly.

These are my feelings exactly. In addition, it’s all so self-absorbed and inward looking. It must make them incredibly boring company.

All young people whether male or female should aim for an education and training that enables them to support themselves as adults. Being a semi-naked influencer on Instagram isn’t going to quite cut the mustard once you start ageing/perhaps fall ill or your body changes in some irreversible way.

@Bluntness100

Honestly doesn’t bother me. I am all for freedom of choice for women and do not judge. If someone is happy, comfortable, and emotionally well enough to do what they do they can crack on.

Came here to say exactly this.

Live and let live, judging others is an utter waste of time and brain space.

Of course it's vacuous and shallow but it's really none of your business.
It's not a new thing (Just a newish platform for it) and there have always been women who want to benefit from their looks and bodies. Always. Their choice. To say it's this generation is nonsense. There are still women and girls with noble/ethical/academic ambitions and to say otherwise is silly.
18 yrs ago when I was first a teacher, I was house sharing with 2 med students and 2 junior doctors. 2 of them worked as strippers on the side for extra cash. It wasn't great for their self image tbh but it was their choice and absolutelynot my business to judge. They are all now consultants (or getting there) and are married with kids.

Nice. Working as a stripper. If you had a DD would you say - go for it, darling! Doesn’t matter if it affects your self image as long as you’re earning some money!

You couldn’t pay me to encourage my DDs to do this, ever.

I don't get the appeal but I'm older and not the target market.
I want to agree with others and say crack on, I think it will end up having too big an emotional impact though and worry about the blurred line between this and porn.

@Charlize43

A friend of mine and ex work colleague took up running during lockdown and lost several stone over the last year. She has done really well and looks great now with a trim little figure. I've noticed that her instagram which used to be more about walks with her dog, food, plants, sunsets, interior design, etc, is changing completely and now has more and more pictures of her posing in her underwear. She has also started following instagrammers like Zara Mcdermott, Laura Anderson1x and other reality TV stars that are almost always near naked on IG. I wouldn't mind so much if she didn't so on about them so much like they are something to be admired. She's also started saying that she'd love to be an 'influencer.'

I hope I don't sound jealous, but I wondered what everyones view is on these so called influencers? I'm also worried that one thing might lead to another and she might end up getting an Only Fans account.

Is it just me who finds all these near naked women horribly annoying?

To me it seems that more and more young girls are sexualising themselves online just to get likes and validation from strangers. She's 10 years younger than me ( She's 28) so I hope I don't sound like an old fashioned prude. I'm not unattractive but just don't understand this thing about posting pictures in undies like a wannabe Page 3 girl.

I haven't really been able to ask her why she does it as I don't want to rain on her parade since she's really happy about how she looks now. Also I'm well aware it's not my business and she can do what she wants.

Thoughts? AIBU?

It must be what you look at and who you follow. My IG isn't full of near naked women. The only account that posts that sort of stuff is womens health and they are on thin ground with me.

But, yanbu, I don't follow that crap because I don't want to see it.

@Bluntness100

Honestly doesn’t bother me. I am all for freedom of choice for women and do not judge. If someone is happy, comfortable, and emotionally well enough to do what they do they can crack on.

Freedom of choice is such a cruel myth we've been sold by liberal feminism. There's nothing empowering about having the choice to sell your body.

@Nonmaquillee

Nice. Working as a stripper. If you had a DD would you say - go for it, darling! Doesn’t matter if it affects your self image as long as you’re earning some money!

You couldn’t pay me to encourage my DDs to do this, ever.

I don't have a DD but I'd support any job she chose to do if it made her happy, same as I will with DS.

I just don’t get this need to judge other women for their choices. If it’s not something you’d do then fine. Move on. Don’t follow. Isn’t it time women stopped judging other women? It doesn’t matter if they sexualise, stay at home, work. Whatever. It’s their choice. Respect it.

But the poster I replied to said that it affected the woman’s self image. This is the crucial point.

If someone is happy, comfortable, and emotionally well enough to do what they do they can crack on.

Generally I take this view but these people and the type of people who follow them are rarely emotionally secure IME.

I work with teenagers & the culture is so damaging. I used to model & I thought that was bad enough but I'm glad I'm not growing up with all this around me.

I just don’t get this need to judge other women for their choices. If it’s not something you’d do then fine. Move on. Don’t follow.

I think it's ok to question why so many feel the need to do this. So many of the teenage girls I work with hate their looks, I find it so sad.

@MadMadMadamMim

I'm an old academic who works with young people. I loathe the culture of Love Island, Naked Attraction, TOWIE, influencers etc.

I think it's deeply, deeply sad that in 100 years we've gone from Votes for Women and wanting to be respected as intellectual equals to wanting lipfillers, veneers and to be admired for prancing in our pants.

I appreciate that not every young woman looks up to these influencers, but it enrages me that anyone should aspire to this, frankly.

THIS! With bells on!

I couldn't agree with you more, MadMadMadamMim! You have expressed my thoughts exactly!

If it affects their self image, then they probably shouldn't be doing it.

To be honest though, most jobs have their shit parts. Some people on here in senior positions kill themselves working 15 hour days, that's also an unhealthy way to live IMO.