To think many are jealous of social media influencers

[pebimo6]

There's a couple I follow on Instagram and it's obvious some of the things they show are ads and that's fine. When I watch itv it's free because there are ads, that's the world. You either pay for a service or it finds another way to make you pay.

But has anyone else notice how instamums attract so much negativity? It seems to be nothing more than jealously! They're not harming anyone and no one is forced to follow

I think it is harmful to promote something to people who may be vulnerable because you're being paid or getting freebies tbh. I think it also contributes to that whole social media perfect life fallacy which can make people feel unnecessarily bad about themselves.

They are pointless. Ego-driven and utterly pointless.

They fail to see how ridiculous they are.

But no jealousy here. I'm way past instamum territory and barely use social media anymore, so maybe I can see it for what it is now.

I don't follow any because I don't really get how they'd be interesting or add anything to my life.
I'm absolutely not jealous of them though, why would I be? I find it all a but cringey and trashy, but each to their own I guess.

It's a freakshow. They exist in glass tanks and we watch them.

Are you joking? They're promoting narcissism if nothing else. Most of them are promoting MLMs, don't have a braincell to rub with the other one and are cosmetic surgeried to death. Not healthy role models for the young either.

@Blahdyblahbla

I don't follow any because I don't really get how they'd be interesting or add anything to my life. I'm absolutely not jealous of them though, why would I be? I find it all a but cringey and trashy, but each to their own I guess.

I agree with this. I couldn’t be less interested in anything any of them have got to say. I don’t know who any of them are and I don’t want to. I also agree that it’s open to real exploitation. I also don’t really like it when they use their children as a marketing tool.

I hate that young people think this is a worthwhile job. It sickens me. That's why I don't like them. They're parasites. No envy or jealousy here.

I don’t think it’s jealously, I think it’s frustration in what they influencers are doing is morally wrong, but people are just too thick to see it.

The ones who use their children are the worst!

they are for some people and not for others. Some are awful and promote things irresponsibly, some are funny or interesting and promote things with consideration. You can't tar em all with the same brush I don't think and yes there are of course jealous people.
Instamums don't bother me, they aren't for me. I think good for them for finding a way to make a little money or get their kids toys they might not be able to afford otherwise.

Jealous of the money....that's it. Zoella and Tanya Biurr dont seem 100% happy even with the mansions etc tho.

For instance my best friends sister thought Mrs Hinch was a hairdresser at the beginning.
Says it all doesn’t it.

Burr

I totally agree, it brings out an astonishing level of bitterness. I see people posting about how it's 'unfair' that these people get sent things for free from brands. But life is unfair - getting sent it for free is no more or less fair than being born wealthy and able to buy them.

I think they bring out a very special trifecta of rage. They're women, which makes things complicated to start with. Then they're mums, which adds a whole heap of judgement, and then they're working in new media which lots of people are desperate to decry as something evil or vapid (as it's any less legitimate than a job in HR or accounting or law).

Not everybody is able to identify what is or isn’t a paid product endorsement or advertisement - I was part of the enforcement case which tackled hidden advertising among influencers, and the crux of the case was that a significant proportion of people were often unaware. It isn’t about jealousy, but protecting consumers.

But even where paid endorsement is explicit, it’s still a problematic industry. Influencers show brief, contrived snapshots of a complete unreality. That does cause harm and it’s why we have legislation which covers false portrayals in media.

@mbosnz

I hate that young people think this is a worthwhile job. It sickens me. That's why I don't like them. They're parasites. No envy or jealousy here.

How many of us have jobs which are worthwhile? My job is great fun and pretty well paid, but it doesn't help anyone. Like most forms of employment.

Honestly if you can make a decent whack without having to work for someone else, and you enjoy it, why wouldn't you? The only downside of people aspiring to be influencers is that it's unlikely that they'll achieve their dream. But that's also true of acting, singing, modelling, painting, dancing and lots of other things.

I’m not jealous of them. Literally selling their lives to the public for free stuff. It wouldn’t be for me.

I do think they’re often utterly detached from the real world in a way that makes them seem very ignorant. Some of the things they do make me absolutely cringe - one such memorable one is an insta mum who publicised and made videos of her adopting a small disabled child from another country, used him for likes and videos, then ‘rehomed’ him and explained this with an emotional tearful apology video. I just couldn’t believe the whole situation. Very exploitative when you have any children, but especially when those children are particularly vulnerable.

You see similar things to this (but on a lesser scale) with many of these ‘influencers.’ Things like thumbnails of a child crying, long videos about their child’s private personal life, things like that. If you want to sell your life then I think you’re entitled to, but I disagree with making children props in your fantasy insta life for likes.

What's an instamum?

Thinking something is ridiculous does not mean you are jealous.

It's a whole world I know nothing about, thankfully.

Frankly I would be embarrassed to admit to being influenced by anyone on a regular basis! But it seems to be a legit "profession" now. Baffling.

@pebimo6

There's a couple I follow on Instagram and it's obvious some of the things they show are ads and that's fine. When I watch itv it's free because there are ads, that's the world. You either pay for a service or it finds another way to make you pay.

But has anyone else notice how instamums attract so much negativity? It seems to be nothing more than jealously! They're not harming anyone and no one is forced to follow

Jealous?

No I actually pity their empty pointless existence. What a fake way to live. I was hoping their time was over when the one who pretended to have cancer was exposed but sadly it seems there is still a market for this type of tosh.

I think some of them may be harming their kids actually. Not physically, obviously, but the ones who put out every little thing about their children’s’ lives, children who are too young to consent - I find that potentially harmful.

It also seems an insecure existence. Apart from the big earners I wonder whether it’s really worth it and they might not just be happier focusing their attention on more conventional careers.

I find it very disturbing that people monetise their children

We seem to have moved from everyone wanting to be a singer to rushing to become an influencer.
I don't like them, it's an oversaturated market with very little talent. It's incredibly sad anyone is willing to sell themselves like that and exchange any sort of real, meaningful life for likes and ad revenue. Even worse when they drag their dc into it and share every detail of their lives.

No jealousy, just pity for them.

Personally I’m uncomfortable with the fact they are salespeople whose tactic is pretending to be your mate or to relate to you. I find it disingenuous. I’d much rather be sold to outright than someone who pretends they soooo love the products and it’s changed their life.