Influencer Culture – Opinion Essay

Is anyone ever truly aware of what they are buying when it comes to social media? A new marketing tactic has come to light in recent years. Go to the screen of any young person and you will most likely see the same thing— an influencer trying to sell an idea or product. An influencer, as described by Merriam-Webster, is “a person who inspires or guides the actions of others” mostly through the way of social media. Evidently, influencer culture has been made the forefront of any online presence and brings forth the question of whether it is ethical to idealize or promote online celebrities and their so-called beliefs.

In order to understand the moral implications of this subgenre of online culture, we must firstly list the repercussions that come from it. This includes detractors such as the groupthink attached to any situation where a person or idea is idolized. The likemindedness that comes from groupthink creates an unhealthy environment where only one sentiment is vocalized while others are silenced. As a result, misinformation can spread like wildfire. Aside from the lack of variety in discussion, the person being idolized could potentially gain a sense of entitlement or inflated ego that can be used to damage the esteem of other persons or that of an establishment. This can reflect negatively on the reputation of the influencer as well. As seen by the scandalous headlines regarding personas like Ellen Degenres or JK Rowling, any poor comment or situation can cause severe damage to one’s name or image. Often, this ends in a ruined career or a pardon where the guilty party does not learn from their mistakes. This is a harrowing concern due to the fact that Influencers are generally younger people. Many are in their teens or young adulthood, like Jojo Siwa. In addition to the complex nature of one forming an identity, those influencers must face the harsh critique of the public eye. The fact of the matter is, many of these influencers do not understand the impact of their words or actions.

In spite of all the negativity, influencers have the means to seed just as much good into the world. The audience that they speak to are mostly young people such as themselves. They can use their impact to advocate for important topics, like the Black Lives Matter movement. Influencers also have the opportunity to connect with a demographic in a way that allows them to feel seen. For example, many under-represented groups like the LGBTQ+ community now have a voice in the spotlight. Furthermore, mental illness and other “taboo” topics that may not be prominently seen in mainstream media now have a chance to be discussed. It is a responsibility for those at center stage to use their influence with respect and careful consideration.