FemAsia Team
Instagram influencers are often criticised for encouraging others to live fake lives by only sharing the most perfect and curated versions of their own lives. This can create unrealistic expectations and make people feel bad about their own lives as they compare themselves to the seemingly perfect lives of influencers.
One way influencers do this is by only sharing the best moments of their lives on Instagram. They may carefully select and edit photos to make them look more beautiful and only post pictures that fit a particular aesthetic or theme. This can give the impression that their lives are always perfect when in reality, they have the same struggles and challenges as anyone else.
Some influencers may also create a false sense of reality by only showing the positive aspects of their lives, such as luxurious vacations and expensive meals. This can make people feel inadequate and envious of the influencer’s lifestyle when they may not be able to afford it or it may not be sustainable.
Many influencers also promote consumerism and materialism by promoting expensive clothes, cars, and gadgets, leading people to believe that happiness is correlated with material possessions. They also may be promoting unhealthy and unsustainable practices such as excessive consumption of meat, dairy and processed food or promoting travel to overcrowded destinations without highlighting the negative impact on local communities and the environment.
Instagram has become a powerful platform for individuals and brands to share their lives and experiences with a large audience. However, many Instagrammers, particularly those who focus on food and travel content, have been criticised for creating a “fake” or curated version of their lives. These individuals and brands often only share the most picturesque and perfect moments, leading their followers to believe that their lives are always glamorous and without flaws.
One example of this phenomenon is the case of Instagram influencer “Influencer X.” Influencer X is known for sharing stunning photos of exotic locations and delicious meals. Still, it was later revealed that many of these photos were staged and not representative of their actual experiences. For example, they would often visit a restaurant, take a picture of a dish they didn’t even order, and then post it on their Instagram. They also were found to have been photoshopping their photos to make them look more appealing. This led to a loss of trust from their followers, as they felt that they had been misled and that the influencer’s life was not as perfect as it appeared on Instagram.
Another example is Instagram influencer “Traveler Y”, known for their beautiful photos of luxurious resorts and five-star hotels. However, it was later revealed that many of these trips were sponsored by the hotels and resorts, and the influencer was not paying for them. This led to accusations of dishonesty, as the influencer was not disclosing that these trips were sponsored and making it seem like they were independently wealthy.
These examples illustrate the dangers of creating a curated and fabricated version of one’s life on Instagram. Not only does it lead to a loss of trust from followers, but it can also create unrealistic expectations and make people feel bad about their own lives.
Furthermore, some Instagram influencers focusing on food and travel may also mislead their audience by promoting unhealthy and unsustainable practices.
In conclusion, while Instagram can be a powerful tool for sharing experiences and connecting with others, individuals and brands need to be honest and authentic in their content. Creating a curated version of one’s life can lead to a loss of trust from followers and contribute to unrealistic expectations. Moreover, influencers must be mindful of their content’s potential negative impacts on the environment and local communities.
