In the last blog, we talked about how the issue of suicides taking place in the culture of influencers. The increasing number of influencer suicides is not just a mental health concern but also a social issue that needs timely action. The issue exposes the ethical failings of a society that values entertainment over well-being, consumerism lover authenticity, and validation over self-worth. Addressing this issue requires more than just surface-level fixes like policy changes and wellness programs. It demands deep moral understanding and counseling with the way we treat influencers, the standards we impose on them, and the way we, as. society, engage with the digital culture. The perception, that a person’s worth is determined by their social media presence and net worth is completely misleading. At the heart of the crisis lies this thought. Influencers are often reduced to mere content-producing machines, their value is measured in likes, engagement rates, and sponsorships. This strips their humanity and replaces it with a transactional identity, an identity that exists only as long as they are profitable and popular. The solution lies in the dignity of individuals beyond their digital personas. As influencers, it is important to teach yourself the identity online and engage with the critics that come with PR life. As a society, we must stop seeing influencers as disposable entertainment and start recognizing them as real people with struggles. This requires. cultural shift where authenticity is valued and not just the picture-perfect world is romanticized. Learn to value and see influencers for who they are. The influencer culture is deeply tied to materialism. Find a way to be grounded in your roots. Away from the materialistic bliss you can create. The success escalated with luxury lifestyles, brand deals, and an ever-growing follower count, creating an illusion that happiness is achieved through external validation. Many influencers chase this illusion, only to realize that it leaves them feeling empty, isolated, and depressed. A moral solution to this problem is to redefine success in a way that prioritizes personal growth, contribution to society, and inner fulfillment over external achievements. Influencers should be encouraged to use their platforms for meaningful impact rather than superficial appeal. Audiences, too, must shift their expectations, choosing to support content that promotes wisdom, depth, and self-awareness rather than content that merely entertains or fuels consumerism. One of the sad realities of influencer suicides the that society knowingly or unknowingly contributes to their suicides. These men engage with influencers as fellow human beings rather than as entertainment objects. Showing empathy and care by supporting them during both highs and lows is important. It is crucial to know that if we can not spread love at least not spread hate, because one comment can change a lot, in the influencer’s mind. t means offering compassion instead of criticism, supporting them during both highs and lows, and understanding that no one—no matter how famous—is immune to suffering. Society must embrace a digital culture of empathy, where kindness and respect are prioritized over judgment and mockery. Influencers are often pushed toward content that prioritizes aesthetic perfection, controversy, or sensationalism because that is what gains traction. The algorithms reward shallowness over substance, making it difficult for influencers to create content that is meaningful without risking a decline in engagement. The moral solution is to encourage virtue-driven content rather than vanity-driven content. Platforms should actively promote influencers who provide wisdom, ethical guidance, and valuable insights rather than those who simply chase trends or provoke controversy. Society must also take responsibility by supporting creators who offer depth and refusing to reward content that is harmful, manipulative, or excessively materialistic. The influencer industry thrives on oversharing, where personal struggles, relationships, and intimate moments are turned into content for public consumption. It thrives on creating “relatable” content, which requires putting a lot of your personal life information out there. This erodes the boundary between private life and public persona, leaving influencers with little space for genuine self-reflection and emotional recovery. Many influencers feel that their entire existence is on display, and when they experience hardships, they have nowhere to retreat to for real healing. To address this, there must be a moral commitment to respecting personal boundaries. Influencers should not feel obligated to share every aspect of their lives for engagement. Society must respect their right to privacy, and platforms should implement safeguards to protect influencers from excessive public intrusion. By restoring the sacredness of personal space, influencers can reclaim a sense of autonomy over their lives. Many influencers enter the industry seeking validation, attention, and financial gain, only to find themselves feeling lost and directionless. The constant pursuit of more—more followers, more engagement, more recognition—leaves them trapped in a cycle of dissatisfaction. This existential void can contribute to feelings of despair and hopelessness. A moral antidote to this is to foster a philosophy of purpose over popularity. Influencers should be encouraged to align their work with meaningful personal values rather than fleeting trends. They should focus on creating content that reflects their passions, beliefs, and long-term goals rather than content that simply appeals to algorithms. When influencers find purpose beyond numbers, they are less likely to fall into the trap of chasing validation at the cost of their mental well-being. The next generation is a generation who is born with a mobile phone in their hands. they know the digital world from both, and it is important to guide them and make them aware of the possible pros and cons of the digital world. If society does not take a step to proactive steps, the cycle will continue. If society does not take proactive steps, the cycle will continue. Schools, families, and communities must incorporate digital ethics into education, teaching young people how to engage with social media responsibly and how to separate self-worth from online validation. Emotional resilience training should be part of early education, helping individuals build strong identities that are not easily shaken by digital pressures. By instilling these values early on,
Written by Mira
In this digital age social influencers have become powerful figures shaping the thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors of young people worldwide. Unlike traditional celebrities, who gained fame through talent and years of experience, influencers are grabbing a hold of the social media platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and Twitter. They create content ranging from lifestyle, fashion, fitness, and entertainment to self-improvement, education, and activism. The name iInfluencer, itself suggests their influence on the world. More specifically, the youth. They have having profound influence over the minds of emerging youth. Some provide very useful information while some gain popularity overnight. But imagine, watching a girl with a perfect hourglass figure, vlogging on Instagram showing her life. As a girl studying in college, if I perceive her, it creates a negative image in the mind. Some might feel that the body standards depicted are the only way to be seen and noticed. This is Foramz and today we will be discussing the Impact of Influencers on Young Minds. The rise of influencer culture has sparked debates on its effects—whether it is empowering the youth by providing them with inspiration and knowledge or negatively shaping their perceptions through unrealistic standards, materialism, and mental health challenges. The human mind, particularly during youth, is highly impressionable. Adolescence and early adulthood are crucial stages of cognitive and emotional development, where individuals seek role models to define their identity and values. In the past, these role models, were often parents, teachers, and historical figures. However, with the rise of social media influencers have taken over as role models for inspiration. Unlike mainstream celebrities, actors, and stars, influencers seem more relatable. They share daily lives, struggles, and personal achievements, creating a sense of authenticity that resonates deeply. The perceived authenticity fosters rust making youth more reliant on the opinions, habits, and lifestyles of influencers. Whether it is following a particular fashion trend adopting a diet or pursuing a certain career path, young people often base their choices on what they see online. It is bound to happen, what we see all the time influences our thoughts and perception of reality. The algorithms on social media seem to know exactly how you feel, be sad, depressed, or happy social media pops up the reel which heightens that emotion. The influence of social media influencers on youth is a double-edged sword. On one hand, influencers can be a force for good, inspiring people to develop skills, adopt healthier habits, and become more aware. On the other hand, they can also contribute to toxic mindsets, unrealistic expectations, and psychological distress. It is all how youth perceive it. You might have faced this one moment when you feel amazing about your body but the other moment you see the life of an influencer following, a keto diet or going to a fancy gym and having a fantastic figure. There goes our mind distracted. Our minds started comparing our bodies with the perceived reality of influencers. The dark side of influencer culture cannot be ignored. One of the most significant issues is the promotion of unrealistic standards—whether it’s beauty, success, or lifestyle. Social media influencers often portray picture-perfect lives, edited to remove flaws and struggles. This creates a false perception of reality, making young people feel inadequate when they compare themselves to these carefully curated images. Materialism and consumerism are also prevalent in influencer culture. Many influencers are always promoting luxury brands, expensive lifestyles, and unattainable beauty standards, which make the youth believe that happiness is tied to wealth and physical appearance. This makes them suffer from low self-esteem, anxiety, and financial irresponsibility as they try to keep up with the trends of influencers. Conclusion: The Need for Critical Awareness Ultimately, the influence of social media influencers is neither entirely good nor entirely bad. The key lies in how we navigate ourselves through this influence. In the next blog, we will discuss how the influencer culture affects the mental health of youth in detail. Keep Reading Foramz for your daily dose of Moral support.