Social media has become a constant in many lives. As a 24-year old, I consistently visit Instagram, Facebook and TikTok – in no particular order. Sometimes, my social media usage is more predictable and consistent than my eating habits, but that’s for another blog post. These platforms are addictive, “…both physically and psychologically” whether we want to admit it or not. Our world has become increasingly digitized. I, like many young adults, am afraid of missing out. It feels like we are connected, yet isolated at the same time. Social media usually leaves me feeling less than. But why? For me, it usually stems from being constantly reminded that I don’t have an indispensable amount of money to “throw away” on needless wants or glamorous vacations. Was social media always like this, and I just didn’t realize it, or has something changed? I believe the introduction of the almighty influencer has added another, more complex layer to social media. Here is a human who seems to have it all, but do they really?
Much of what is purported on social media is not real. I know this. And yet, it’s hard to accept. Watch the brief TEDtalk video below that empowers the user to shift their perspective on social media platforms.
There has been a dramatic increase in the amount of influencer brand deals of late. With a simple 60-second video, influencers can convince an impressive-sized audience that the product they tested is a must have. “While some influencers do disclose their endorsements and sponsorships, others do not and this lack of transparency should raise some red flags.” These brand deals go hand-in-hand with ulterior motives. “Typically, influencers rely on sponsored content to make money. From posting a picture to the main feed with #ad to sharing swipe-up links in a series of stories, sponsored content takes on many different shapes.” Deciphering if these posts are authentic (meaning sharing truthful information) is difficult to do when compensation is a factor.
Anyone who uses social media, specifically Instagram, knows that the best of the best is shown. Before posting, one may think, “how many likes will this get me?” – craving validation from a stranger (at times). But how much weight does a ‘like’ really hold? “With every like we give or receive, we’re essentially participating in a social exchange that reinforces our self-worth. We’re socially wired to seek validation, and social media platforms exploit this need brilliantly.” Very rarely does one choose to post the less than flattering items on social media, influencers especially.
Though many were skeptical of its acceptance and popularity, artificial intelligence (AI) has gained quite a following. Companies have now gone as far as creating AI influencers – physically perfect individuals that further perpetuate unrealistic expectations of appearance and lifestyle. The below video shows the artificial individuals that have been created.
Even though separating oneself from social media is not fun, (and at times not desired) I created a short list of helpful checkpoints you can practice the next time you scroll across a dream-like photo catalog from your favorite influencer.
- Take everything with a grain of salt
*The best of the best is shown. Authenticity can sometimes be lacking.
- Be selective of which influencers you follow
*Do they always make you feel less than? If so, unfollow them.
- Be protective of your mental health
*Check-in on yourself regularly.
Look at the following video I created! I recently went to California by myself and chose to document it. Take a look. I wanted to show how authenticity can look on social media!
Did I get you? These photos and video are not real. Below I pull back the curtain to help you see how easy it is to create content using “smoke and mirrors.” The beautiful trees that I chose to take a picture of on my run actually are from my apartment gym. With a quick filter and crop, the picture looks passable for real content and unless you were looking for it, you most likely wouldn’t be able to tell that this is fake.
I put a YouTube video on my tv of a “malibu beach” and attempted to make it look like I was walking backwards – adding to the authenticity. I also used pictures I had taken from years back when I really was in California. Ta-da!
The next time you decide to follow an influencer, be sure to practice caution. Yes they may be real, but they may be trying to prioritize the sale of a product that delivers them a paycheck.
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