In this day and age, almost all teenagers use some kind of social media platform. Whether that's through Tiktok, Youtube, or even Snapchat, there's an undeniable fact that teenagers today are more digitally connected than ever. But why is that? For some, it could be because social media has exposed them to new kinds of people, individuals that they might find relatable and look up to. And because of this, teenagers can feel a personal connection with these online influencers that they follow.
As our world becomes more digitalized, new technologies emerge that keep us hooked and engaged. One such technology is the algorithm. Essentially, its role is to recommend users content based on what they might like the most. This means that the algorithm can consistently introduce certain content creators to a teenager, and over time, make them a regular part of their daily life.
This constant exposure can bring both positive and negative impacts.
On one hand, online influencers help youth become increasingly motivated, seen, and validated. It's how teenagers dabble in new interests, discover sides to themselves that they have never seen before but want to develop. Whether that's through gaming, fashion, music, fitness, or other hobbies, content creators are essential in introducing ideas to youth that they might have never seen before.
However in other cases, influencer culture can bring more harm than good. These such impacts include introducing unrealistic expectations, unhealthy body standards, and worsening self-esteem. Influencers often also choose carefully selected portions of their life to show their audiences, the parts that look almost perfect and idealistic. And when a teenager is unable to recognize that, it sends them on a downward spiral of constant comparisons between their life and how others live.
Personally, I think there is nothing wrong with looking up to someone. It's great that there's a person that some feel inspired towards and want to be like. But at the same time, I believe that there is a difference between admiring and reverencing an internet personality. There is a point where idolizing an influencer shifts from positive to becoming unhealthy.
Overall, while there's nothing necessarily wrong with admiring an influencer, it's the level of admiration that could possibly impact a teenager's thoughts, decisions, and sense of identity. And as a research team, we aim to better understand the factors regarding influencer culture through analysis and investigation. So stay tuned as we continue our search!