Taylor
Influencing Identity: How the Rise of Influencer Culture Impacts Identity Development
Influencer culture is the modern phenomenon in which individuals, known as influencers or content creators, use social media platforms to build audiences and shape societal trends. Over the past decade, the popularity of influencer culture and its impact on online audiences have grown tremendously. Content creators are being idolized and mimicked by their followers, oftentimes to an unhealthy extent. Additionally, many online users feel pressured to change their authentic style and personality to fit in with the influencers and trends on social media. This raises the question: How does the development of influencer culture impact identity in today’s society? Research shows that communities on social media platforms can encourage positive identity exploration and better mental health; however, it is becoming harder to find these spaces. Cyberbullying, disordered eating, alcohol and drug usage, and excessive consumerism are all heavily promoted, especially by influencers, and are taking over social media. While this can affect all users, adolescents are particularly impacted by these issues. The toxic environment on social media has detrimental impacts on the mental health and identities of countless online users. In this presentation, learn about the connection between capitalism and content creation, understand how influencer culture can both positively and negatively impact identity, and get a better grasp of the ever-changing world of social media.
WATCH HERE
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Influencer culture is the modern phenomenon in which individuals, known as influencers or content creators, use social media platforms to build audiences and shape societal trends. Over the past decade, the popularity of influencer culture and its impact on online audiences have grown tremendously. Content creators are being idolized and mimicked by their followers, oftentimes to an unhealthy extent. Additionally, many online users feel pressured to change their authentic style and personality to fit in with the influencers and trends on social media. This raises the question: How does the development of influencer culture impact identity in today’s society? Research shows that communities on social media platforms can encourage positive identity exploration and better mental health; however, it is becoming harder to find these spaces. Cyberbullying, disordered eating, alcohol and drug usage, and excessive consumerism are all heavily promoted, especially by influencers, and are taking over social media. While this can affect all users, adolescents are particularly impacted by these issues. The toxic environment on social media has detrimental impacts on the mental health and identities of countless online users. In this presentation, learn about the connection between capitalism and content creation, understand how influencer culture can both positively and negatively impact identity, and get a better grasp of the ever-changing world of social media.
WATCH HERE
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