We all spend time on a handful of social media platforms but does anyone ever stop to think about social media influencers’ impact on youth? Most would agree that social media influencers have a significant impact on the next generation. Their influence can be seen in the way young people think, behave, and interact with the world. Social media outlets provide a unique opportunity for influencers to connect with their audience and build a following. In many cases, social influencers are able to reach a wider audience than traditional celebrities. With that being said, with great influence comes great responsibility.
How social media influencers are impacting the next generation
Social media influencers often have a large impact on the way young people view themselves and the world around them. There are several ways social media influencers impact youth, both positively and negatively. For example, many social media influencers promote positive body image and self-acceptance. However, some social media influencers may also promote unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as dieting or excessive exercise. It is important for young people to be able to critically evaluate the messages they see on social media.
In addition, social influencers can also influence the way the younger generations interact with others. For example, social media influencers may encourage their followers to engage in positive social interactions, such as volunteering or supporting a charitable cause. However, social media influencers may also encourage their followers to engage in negative social interactions, such as cyberbullying or trolling. There’s no doubt that social media influencers’ impact on youth can go either way so it’s important to be aware of the potential consequences of your social media interactions.
It is important for kids, teens, and even adults to be aware of the influence that social media can have on their lives. Social media influencers’ impact on youth is apparent and it is important for young people to be able to critically evaluate the messages they see on social media in order to make healthy choices for themselves and their social lives. Sometimes it’s easy to get lost in the world of social and forget about reality. Remember that phrase your mom used to tell you? “If they jumped off a bridge would you follow them?” It’s the same concept. Just because someone else you view as “cool” does something or encourages a certain type of behavior doesn’t always mean it’s the “right” thing or something you should be partaking in.
How social media affects self-esteem in young people?
Studies have shown that social media use is associated with lower self-esteem, body dissatisfaction, and comparison with others. Social media influencers often promote an unrealistic standard of beauty that can impact the way young people view themselves. In addition, social media can also be a breeding ground for cyberbullying and other negative social interactions. In addition, we see many influencers and social media users addicted to phones and checking the engagement on their last post which is not exactly healthy. Posting a photo or video and not receiving the amount of praise you thought it would start to negatively impact people. It is important for young people to be aware of the impact social media can have on their self-esteem and to make healthy choices about their social media use.
Work ethic of teens
Social media influencers can influence the work ethic of the next generation. With that being said, it can go either way. You can view it from the point of view of the younger generation being influenced and wanting to be a social media influencer when they grow up. They could argue against going to school where they can learn valuable business and/or trade skills, which seems like a negative impact. However, on a positive note, many social media influencers can inspire youth and encourage them to start their own business or pursue something they are passionate about. Being a small business owner can teach many valuable lessons you might not learn elsewhere and takes a ton of dedication and consistency.
How social media influencers’ impact on youth can be positive?
Social channels and the influencers on those channels can play a positive role. On the positive side, social media can be used to connect people with similar interests and to build supportive relationships. In addition, if you have a business, using social media and social media influencers can be a great way to spread awareness about your brand. Many brands can utilize influencers to announce their product and gain loyal customers, which in turn makes them money. Social media influencers also come in all shapes and sizes. With that being said, many social media influencers in the finance and entrepreneurial space heavily focus on inspiring people to start their own businesses or get financially ahead in life. Although, many of these influencers have other motives such as selling courses, e-books, etc. they can also inspire young minds and teach a lot of people the skills they need to be successful, which is ultimately a good thing.
A final thought about social media influencers’ impact on youth
It’s no secret that social media influencers can have a positive or negative impact on young people. It is important for the next generation to be aware of the potential impact social media can have on their self-esteem, body image, and work ethic. Social media can be used to connect people with similar interests, build supportive relationships, and inspire people. However, social media can also be a host of cyberbullying and other negative social interactions. It is important for young people to make healthy choices about their social media use and be cognizant of the effects social media may be playing in their daily life.
