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I understand how and why influencers have become a thing – they're marketers' top commodities.
But some of my friends are so obsessed and invested in these strangers' lives it makes me uncomfortable.
Some influencers started out on YouTube, like ultimate hun Molly-Mae.
I know someone who spends their free time ‘catching up’ with their favourite little family – literally a random blogger they follow.
And when they say 'catch up' they mean watch an edited weekly roundup video.
I know watching a YouTube video or some stranger taking their kid pumpkin picking doesn’t hurt anyone, but are we in danger of putting these people on a pedestal?
When an influencer named Elle Swift (nee Darby) was pregnant with her first child one of my friends shared the post to their own Instagram with the caption ‘they will make the most amazing parents.’
Seems nice don’t you think? Apart from the fact she does not know these people at all.
"I can’t believe it," she proclaimed, "after all these years of following his journey he's been arrested for murder."
She ended up sharing a few more posts about her until Elle left Instagram after some historic racist tweets were uncovered. She's not mentioned Elle since.
The same friend posted a snippet of an article regarding another of her favourite influencers, Andre Rebelo, who has been arrested on suspicion of murdering his own mother.
"I can’t believe it," she proclaimed, "after all these years of following his journey."
Does she think these bloggers and influencers are superheroes who are not affected or involved in real-life scenarios and situations?
People have faults, make mistakes and exist in reality not some Disney fantasy.
It's dangerous to see these social media stars as the most perfect women, couple or family. You will only be left shocked and disappointed.
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