Everyone has someone they idolize, whether it’s a family member, celebrity or influencer. In the modern age of social media, influencers occupy a big space that was once held by athletes, celebrities and even musicians. They shape trends, introduce new products, and often feel more relatable because they are just “normal people,” unlike celebrities. For many children and teens, influencers are more of role models rather than just entertainers.
Liking and supporting an influencer isn’t entirely negative. Many influencers use their platforms to promote self-expression, personal growth and creativity. However, just “looking up” to a social media influencer can become harmful when followers begin to compare themselves to the people they see online. Many lives you see on social media are often exaggerated or filtered, typically highlighting perfect mornings, perfect skin, expensive vacations and nonstop productivity while the stressful, messy parts are edited out or hidden.
“Putting too much importance on an influencer can make someone ignore their own goals or identity,” said senior Chayton Cheers. “Instead of focusing on what’s best for them, they might try too hard to act like someone else.”
A big trust problem of idolizing influencers comes from sponsorships and paid content, especially because sponsorships are a very major source of income for influencers. If a creator promotes a product because they’re paid to do so, followers may question whether the promotion is genuine or just a way to make money.
“You have to take what they say with a grain of salt,” said junior Chazney Williams. “You have to remember this is basically their job to promote products even if they aren’t the best.”
It’s very easy to assume that all influencers are motivated by either money or fame, but the reality is more complex. Some influencers are indeed driven by public recognition or success, because they do get rewarded for visibility. For many, influencing can become a full-time job. Others focus primarily on using their platform as a way to be who they really are, and express their true character and be authentic. A big complication of influencer culture is the pressure creators have to face to remain relevant. Social media platforms reward frequent posting which means influencers often feel forced to make content even multiple times a day. To keep their followers engaged, influencers may feel they need to top their last post with something more dramatic, more exciting, or more aesthetically pleasing. This can push influencers into exaggerated portrayals of their lives. While maybe followers may admire the entertaining or glamorous lifestyle they see online, it’s important to recognize that this performance comes from the demand to stay known, rather than a genuine reflection of realistic, everyday life.
“I don’t think all influencers chase after money or fame,” said sophomore Ta’Meya Thomas. “I truly feel that some actually do want to help others, and the influencers who have let us down before shape what people now think.”
Teenagers are especially vulnerable to the effects of idolizing influencers online because their self-perceptions, values, and identities are still forming. Young brains are very moldable, making teens more likely to internalize the opinions and beauty standards that they see online whether they are good or bad. When influencers become the primary source of guidance and inspiration for a young teen, they may shape their habits, beliefs, or interests around what they see online rather than real-life experiences and role models. This can lower and narrow their sense of self and make them dependent on external validation.
“Looking up to an influencer online could be bad if they’re doing or promoting bad things,” said junior Layla Thomas. “If you look up to someone, especially as a teen with a still-developing mind, their actions could influence you to do the same.”
The truth is not all influencers are who they promote themselves to be. Although there are a lot of influencers that are good people who do truly have pure intentions and are passionate about what they do, it’s important to keep in mind that it is their job and you can’t trust everything people say and do online, they also must post almost daily to earn money for their content, sometimes they aren’t actually passionate about what they are doing, they just need the money. When looking up to an influencer or seeing them as your “idol,” make sure you are cautious when doing so. Remember to be your own person and not morph into someone who may not even be fully genuine, especially as teens or younger people when our minds are very moldable by what we intake from others.
“Idolizing influencers can get to a point where you want to be them,” said sophomore Ca’Mia Bethea. “It could start to consume your mind and mold you into a person you really aren’t.”
