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Bad Influencers / Bad Role models?

  • 25-07-2017 5:55pm
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 370 ✭✭


    Hi there,

    Just wondering what are peoples thoughts on bloggers and influencers having a negative effect on social media?

    I have young nieces who follow what influencers say even if it's total rubbish. My brother and his wife are not social media savy, so i've had to bring so much to their attention.

    Some snaps/insta stories are so negative and absurd. Prime example, last night one of the leading fitness girls posted a picture of her dinner which was mainly salad and turkey burgers with the caption, "Am I skinny yet?". Then spoke about how much weight she had put on over her holidays. This fitness person is so skinny and fit it's such a bad message to be sending out to anyone.

    Maybe i'm just old and sensitive :p


«1

Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 436 ✭✭Ray37


    I think constant snaps of lifting your top to show your 'progress' (weight loss and ab definition) is terrible. Like once a month maybe, not every week. This kind of behavior is obsessive, and should've be shared online. If you ever scroll through some Instagrams of well known bloggers, it's clear who few people are aware of the insane amount of photoshop being used. I'm certainly not against using a good angle and filters, but stretching your body so you look inhuman is so wrong, and sends out a terrible message to followers. The scary part is seeing how many of their fans don't see this, and leave gushing 'you're an inspiration' comments. 

    There's also a very well know blogger who has snapped herself drinking alcohol at lunch, and then driving home afterwards. This absolutely sickened me, as she then accepted a paid sponsorship by RSA to discuss road safety.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 383 ✭✭Lindy97


    Jesus!

    I'd agree on the fitness stuff, I'm all for a healthy body positive attitude but that's not what I'm seeing a lot of the time. Just skinny = good. Which isnt the case, skinny doesn't equal healthy.

    It's also sad when I see stuff like #relationshipgoals. You don't know them, you see what they want you to see which is photos and snaps which they have edited to give the best representation of their brand. No couple, even the strongest one, is perfect.

    I also hated, as a new mum, seeing bloggers saying how easy having a baby was and how they felt they were "born to be a mum" and telling followers to have a baby as it was so easy, when she knew nothing about their circumstances. a) i dont believe it was that easy and she said months later on that Truzees one about a few struggles she'd had but she had never mentioned these on her own snaps at the time and b) even if that was her experience, they have to be aware what they say can affect people. Imagine being a mum struggling with a baby with reflux or colic, or even just struggling with the HUGE change to your life, and sitting there reading how someone who had a really, really good baby and a lot of help, not to mention the tonnes of free stuff the rest of us have to pay for on maternity was "born to be a mum", your mind is all over the place, you're doubting every thing you do and hormones are messing with you and you have to read that **** which starts making you think, well was I not as I'm not finding it so easy??.....it made me so mad.

    Basically, this presenting an instagram perfect ideal, which is usually bull. That's my bug bear and I think it does so much damage.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 444 ✭✭scarbouro


    Ray37 wrote: »

    There's also a very well know blogger who has snapped herself drinking alcohol at lunch, and then driving home afterwards. This absolutely sickened me, as she then accepted a paid sponsorship by RSA to discuss road safety.


    Speaking on the topic of alcohol. Not sure if it's the same blogger you're talking about but I can't get over how much one of the top bloggers drinks. I've no problem with anyone enjoying a drink, I do myself but every snap this blogger has a glass of wine in her hand nearly every day of the week weather it be lunch, dinner or at home. It's like she can't get through a day without drinking. She has a very young following and I don't think making alcohol look so cool in every snap or post is sending out a good message. If she's having a drink at the time, i personally think she should put it down while taking the pic for Instagram. She doesnt need a wine glass in hand to make the shot a good one.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 383 ✭✭Lindy97


    It says a lot that I think I know exactly who you are talking about


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,825 ✭✭✭LirW


    There is a very well known australian goth "model" and "Make up artist" that has a horrible attitude, worshipping serial killers (has a tattooed sleeve of a few of their faces), drinking and constantly complaining of how hard she has it and being permanently broke. She asked her followers for money on a few occasions.

    Another one is also a quite famous instagrammer that promotes a daddy complex. That's absolutely disgusting.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,766 ✭✭✭GingerLily


    LirW wrote: »
    Another one is also a quite famous instagrammer that promotes a daddy complex. That's absolutely disgusting.

    How do you promote a Daddy complex? Genuinely curious


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,825 ✭✭✭LirW


    By stating it should be tried having sex with older men or getting actively into daddy roleplay in a very pushing manner that also tries to normalize incestuous relationships. I generally don't care about any kind of fetish but on a portal like Instagram this is a bit ott in my opinion. Afaik it got better with her though since she got called out for it a few times.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,049 ✭✭✭groovyg


    There is one fitness blogger I used to follow and she is into weight lifting and training for competitions, constantly posting progress pics and of her meals. Leading up to a competition its all lean protein with salads and watching the calories, then she goes on holidays and undoes all the work. Ok she's on holidays and is allowed to relax but I don't understand why they over do so much with food and alcohol that they have a mountain to climb when theycome back to reality. I really think some of them have binge eating issues.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,129 ✭✭✭eviltimeban


    Now I want to know who all these people are!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,751 ✭✭✭zoobizoo


    The whole purpose is to keep posting content...

    So if you gain weight you can talk about it.... and then you can talk about losing it again.

    They have to remain in the public eye so they need to have something to talk about constantly.



    I am not on Snapchat but I have listened to some of the women on there. It's sad that girls are listening to the nonsense they go on about - mainly clothes, diet, make up...

    For example Rosanna Davison going on about health and wellness and yet she's covered in make up, has had plastic surgery and lives an unrealistic lifestyle... she's never without her make up.

    It's vacuous and obsessed with looking perfect all the time, that is not healthy.


    They are on social media to make money.... it's their job. Not sure why parents allow their kids to listen to such nonsense.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,049 ✭✭✭groovyg


    Ray37 wrote: »

    There's also a very well know blogger who has snapped herself drinking alcohol at lunch, and then driving home afterwards. This absolutely sickened me, as she then accepted a paid sponsorship by RSA to discuss road safety.

    The RSA is just another publicly funded organisation going through the motions, does anybody actually pay attention to their adverts?
    That one about drink driving where the parents of Ciaran Treacy feature is pretty powerful but then you have some politicians and the Vintners federation who are against a blanket ban on drink driving ...so waste of time really.

    They've now signed up a load of mommy influencers for a campaign on driver distraction and driving with kids. If the RSA pay them, they'll advertise it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 4,825 ✭✭✭LirW


    Also a lot of young female instagrammers that have fairly questionable content (depression, apathy, mental health issues sometimes paired with taking heavy drugs for it for the clicks and plastic surgery addiction) have wealthy backgrounds, are college dropouts and don't work. Plenty of these made themselves a name on tumblr first.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,368 ✭✭✭allym


    There is one fitness influencer who I actually really liked but realised the more she was going on that her relationship with food was desperately unhealthy.

    I actually had to unfollow her because I just felt that her basically promoting binge eating and lack of self control when it came to food was really unhealthy. She basically destroyed some food instead of just saying "no I'm not gonna have any of that today". I would worry about young girls watching these videos and going "ok I can't ever have a bit of chocolate because I'll end up eating six bars so I'll just never touch it again".


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,624 ✭✭✭✭meeeeh


    There were always bad role models on internet. You can't ban them all and you can't regulate them all. It's up to parents to parent and not to society to limit the free speech (hate speech and similar excluded). It would make me very happy if vaccine scaremongering or dieting nonsense would disappear of Internet but it's more beneficial to single them out as nonsense than shut up the debate. Also "think of the children" must be most overused excuse ever. There are plenty of older people who are just as stupid. In the same way blogger can't be responsible for someone having a baby because she said it's easy. Is today everything someone elses fault and is there no space for personal responsibility. (BTW having my second child was easy, some kids are like that).


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 436 ✭✭Ray37


    @Lindy if I could like your comment a million times re the 'born to be a mum' stuff etc I would! You are so bang on there.
    Another thing I am seeing more and more of that I really don't like, is trotting out the old 'anxiety' line. One very big blogger was being investigated by the ASAI, and saw that she was being widely discussed on social media. Rather than speaking out about how she had made a mistake and would try to follow guidelines and rules, she came onto Snapchat crying that the people discussing her were 'damaging her mental health'. I absolutely HATE this. I've seen a lot of people lately use mental health as a way to try to silence people calling out their shadiness, and it makes me sick. I'd love to see a change in how mental health is being shown on social media by some people, you can't hide behind it and use it to silence people when you've done something wrong. This made me feel that my struggles with mental health are being invalidated, and it's being used as an excuse for doing your job poorly. I saw lots of her followers raging that because she has anxiety and a baby, that being investigated was 'the last thing she needs'. Are you joking me?? If you can't do your job right, maybe you shouldn't do it. Nobody was to blame but her, but she tried to shut up people by turning on the tears, and making those who discussed it out to be the baddies. You need to be accountable for what you promote, and how you do it, and do not DARE use your mental illness for sympathy when you are caught out.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,039 ✭✭✭✭retro:electro


    The mindless consumerism is getting so out of hand. One blogger wears items once, and then sells them on Depop. I'm also following another blogger who, for the most part I like, but she's going on a holiday with another blogger to The Seychelles today and she uploaded a YouTube video of her "holiday clothing haul", and she must have spent over €500 on holiday clothes. :eek:
    Holiday clothes like. Bits you'll wear a few times a year. And it's not as if she hasn't already got nice bits as she was on holiday only recently.

    God forbid you'd have to snap yourself in the same outfit twice- and that's what it all comes down to, imo- social media portrayal. Having to have a different outfit in every photo, and I get that they need to do this to certain extent as it's their job, but it's getting crazy. There just seems to be no thought as to what this is doing, not only the planet- but psychologically to their audience and to themselves as well.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 383 ✭✭Lindy97


    meeeeh wrote: »
    There were always bad role models on internet. You can't ban them all and you can't regulate them all. It's up to parents to parent and not to society to limit the free speech (hate speech and similar excluded). It would make me very happy if vaccine scaremongering or dieting nonsense would disappear of Internet but it's more beneficial to single them out as nonsense than shut up the debate. Also "think of the children" must be most overused excuse ever. There are plenty of older people who are just as stupid. In the same way blogger can't be responsible for someone having a baby because she said it's easy. Is today everything someone elses fault and is there no space for personal responsibility. (BTW having my second child was easy, some kids are like that).
    I get your point about personal responsibility and how people think nothing is their fault, such as people moaning they ran up huge data bills then crying about the network provider etc.

    I also agree that it's not up to anyone else to regulate or educate what your kids see, and also that a lot of the followers I see are older women, but like any area of society there are vulnerable people, you and I might be able to look at it for what it is but others don't or can't for whatever reason, again that's not the fault of the blogger and I wasn't really saying that it's their fault as such just that they should be more aware of their content and what they were saying as *some* responsibility does lie there, like in any job.

    The having a baby thing, well someone messaged saying her baby made them broody and should they have a baby and she said "honestly, do it, its so easy"... so yeah she's not responsible if some eejit goes out and has a baby on the back of that but, like you said, personal responsibility is key, both for the blogger and the viewer. *Her* experience was easy, but she never said that, it was just this is brilliant, do it. Babies are luck of the draw really for the most part and a lot depends on your circumstances, support etc but again, none of that, just yeah it's easy, do it with no context.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,260 ✭✭✭mel123


    Why is no one mentioning names? Ive read the forum rules and dont believe its not allowed, or am I wrong?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,039 ✭✭✭✭retro:electro


    mel123 wrote: »
    Why is no one mentioning names? Ive read the forum rules and dont believe its not allowed, or am I wrong?

    I think it's a complex we have brought over from the other forum! :pac:
    I was talking about Louise Cooney.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 814 ✭✭✭saggycaggy


    anna080 wrote: »
    I think it's a complex we have brought over from the other forum! :pac:
    I was talking about Louise Cooney.

    I'm not on snapchat anymore but had to unfollow her on Instagram and I hate to say but it was mostly because of jealousy. I just couldn't get over her lifestyle and trips away-once a month it seems like another hot sunny destination and having a ball. is this real life???


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 383 ✭✭Lindy97


    The born to be a mum one is FacesByGrace as is the anxiety one that Ray37 has mentioned, I believe.
    You tend to see her name a lot around these parts:D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,039 ✭✭✭✭retro:electro


    saggycaggy wrote: »
    I'm not on snapchat anymore but had to unfollow her on Instagram and I hate to say but it was mostly because of jealousy. I just couldn't get over her lifestyle and trips away-once a month it seems like another hot sunny destination and having a ball. is this real life???

    I know ya, and the fab house in central Dublin with a cute puppy (who I'm feeling more sorry for by the day). It's not real life.

    Sure while I'm at it, on the topic of bad role models and irresponsibility- I just hate when these bloggers get themselves cute little Instagram friendly dogs, but are never actually around to look after them. Louise left her job about a month ago and has been jetting all over the world since, and her poor little pup who she only recently got is at home with her roommates. She should have thought about how much she'd be gone when she was considering buying him, but I'm sure the odd cute Instagram picture makes her feel like a good owner when she, for the most part, is not.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 383 ✭✭Lindy97


    I should also say, maybe the title shouldn't be "bad influencers/bad role models", as others have said, really they shouldn't be classes as role models, maybe "questionable content/issues" or something like that?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,042 ✭✭✭will56


    saggycaggy wrote: »
    I'm not on snapchat anymore but had to unfollow her on Instagram and I hate to say but it was mostly because of jealousy. I just couldn't get over her lifestyle and trips away-once a month it seems like another hot sunny destination and having a ball. is this real life???

    I think more of them should be honest about their lifestyles with followers.
    One fitness blogger has recently admitted to no longer training clients in person so just does online training now.
    Same person states that she left her own job a couple years ago to PT and now has a business so succesful that she can holiday fairly regular, pay for extra coaching etc in the run up to a comp and has her nice flat in town.

    Either seriously lucky/successful or has another income stream that's not discussed.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,257 ✭✭✭ZeroThreat


    Some youtubers also have a lot to answer for.

    Linus of Linustechtips for the encouragement of nerds spending too much cash on very high end computer equipment.

    And the caffeine-overdosing Lindybeige with an unnatural obsession for tanks is a somewhat dodgy character also.

    :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,512 ✭✭✭baby and crumble


    The thing is though, why is it their responsibility to police their actions? Like I do understand the need for positive role models in everyone's life, but if they've gotten a following doing a certain thing (eg fitness blogs or whatever) then why should they have to change their content when they become successful?

    And I know lots of folks will say that kids are easily influenced, and that's a fair point. But kids aren't stupid either. I never once in my life thought that rock stars doing drugs was something I aspired to but I still liked their music. Why is this different?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,112 ✭✭✭StripedBoxers


    Ray37 wrote: »
    There's also a very well know blogger who has snapped herself drinking alcohol at lunch, and then driving home afterwards. This absolutely sickened me, as she then accepted a paid sponsorship by RSA to discuss road safety.
    scarbouro wrote: »
    Speaking on the topic of alcohol. Not sure if it's the same blogger you're talking about but I can't get over how much one of the top bloggers drinks. I've no problem with anyone enjoying a drink, I do myself but every snap this blogger has a glass of wine in her hand nearly every day of the week weather it be lunch, dinner or at home. It's like she can't get through a day without drinking. She has a very young following and I don't think making alcohol look so cool in every snap or post is sending out a good message. If she's having a drink at the time, i personally think she should put it down while taking the pic for Instagram. She doesnt need a wine glass in hand to make the shot a good one.

    Who are these bloggers? Could you PM me if you don't want to post here?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,624 ✭✭✭✭meeeeh


    The thing is though, why is it their responsibility to police their actions? Like I do understand the need for positive role models in everyone's life, but if they've gotten a following doing a certain thing (eg fitness blogs or whatever) then why should they have to change their content when they become successful?

    And I know lots of folks will say that kids are easily influenced, and that's a fair point. But kids aren't stupid either. I never once in my life thought that rock stars doing drugs was something I aspired to but I still liked their music. Why is this different?

    This is much better made point about what I was trying to say. Maybe I am old but it seems that today people want everything to be airbrushed (metaphorically speaking). Nobody can be insulted or voice an unpopular opinion, even flaunt their wealth/lifestyle because they will hurt someone. Unfortunately lack of policing means popular culture is full if dross but it's all worth it if that enables alternative views to be heard.

    I have no time for people (bloggers) using anxiety as an excuse to avoid scrutiny of their actions. But at the same time the followers should not expect bloggers to self police so that no one is affected in any kind of negative way. There is always someone who is bad influence and I absolutely agree with one of previous posts about over the top consumerism. But that can't be done by protecting kids from everything. It's much better to encourage critical thinking and let them make up their mind.

    BTW regarding drinking. When I was a teen every self respecting rock band featured at least one bottle of JD and most of the band members smoking on their promo material. I would be on a third liver by now if this kind of stuff was so influential.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,512 ✭✭✭baby and crumble


    It's kind of like online porn. No-one is saying it's not a huge problem, but unless parents are willing to talk with their kids/ teenagers about how porn is NOT realistic and how images etc can be altered, then I really don't think they can blame the makers for their kids thinking sex is actually like how it is in porn.

    Same thing applies here.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 370 ✭✭heyjude88


    i'm sure its very different being a rock star and taking drugs. most people aren't musical enough to make it in a band and therefore can't afford class A drugs.

    Fitness infulencers lifts up her top and says she so fat,  and then post pictures of her dinner asking is she skinny yet, but is also eating nutella and pringles. this to me is a bad infulence. Kids and adults (women in particular), can see this and obsess over their food and image. It's way easier to cut calories and stop eating etc, then it is to be in a successful rock band and doing drugs every night. Also, being in a band is on a larger platform, a young girl sitting in her room watching these snaps on snapchat is all done behind closed doors, and may become a secret obsession. These influencers  are mostly all local Irish girls who play up the "I'm just like you" image. Of course their followers will think they can be like them.

    I didn't name the influencer, so i'm not lashing out. I started the thread to see what other peoples opinions are. I work with mainly women in my job, and so many of the young girls have gotten lip injections and look so silly. Silly enough that management have had to step in as we are customer front line staff.  It's scary.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 444 ✭✭scarbouro


    Who are these bloggers? Could you PM me if you don't want to post here?

    So sue me


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,512 ✭✭✭baby and crumble


    heyjude88 wrote: »
    i'm sure its very different being a rock star and taking drugs. most people aren't musical enough to make it in a band and therefore can't afford class A drugs.

    What?
    heyjude88 wrote: »
    Fitness infulencers lifts up her top and says she so fat,  and then post pictures of her dinner asking is she skinny yet, but is also eating nutella and pringles. this to me is a bad infulence. Kids and adults (women in particular), can see this and obsess over their food and image. It's way easier to cut calories and stop eating etc, then it is to be in a successful rock band and doing drugs every night. Also, being in a band is on a larger platform, a young girl sitting in her room watching these snaps on snapchat is all done behind closed doors, and may become a secret obsession. These influencers  are mostly all local Irish girls who play up the "I'm just like you" image. Of course their followers will think they can be like them.

    I still don't see how any of that is the blogger/snapper/whatever format's problem. Just as you or I are free to say what we think here, they are free to publicly say whatever they want. They are talking about themselves- they're commenting on THEIR OWN bodies. Personal responsibility on the part of the viewer is needed.

    Also if a fitness influencer is showing off eating Pringles and Nutella on their timeline it doesn't take a genius to work out they're probably a chancer.
    heyjude88 wrote: »
    I didn't name the influencer, so i'm not lashing out. I started the thread to see what other peoples opinions are. I work with mainly women in my job, and so many of the young girls have gotten lip injections and look so silly. Silly enough that management have had to step in as we are customer front line staff.  It's scary.

    Well tbh I don't see how you can blame the influencers for that. How about blaming the doctors who are doing these procedures on people who clearly have no need for them? Or how about blaming their partners/friends/parents for not stopping them? Where does it end? Where does personal responsibility (on behalf of the viewer, they can choose to watch it or not, or believe it or not) come into it?

    As for management "stepping in" and stopping individuals having procedures in their own time with their own money, I actually think that's far far worse and problematic than a blogger saying x, y,z. Much more dangerous if you ask me.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 856 ✭✭✭idunno78


    I know the fitness person your on about (not in real life but have followed her from pretty much the start although don't watch as consistent as I used to). She had worked really hard to get where she is! Why wouldn't she want to show of her hard work! I don't think she does it every day either? Could be wrong? She might eat a bit crap sometimes but she still eats a decent amount even when she was competing! Almost 2200 I think it was compared to another person getting ready to compete at the moment think she is eating 1500 the last while? (Again figures could be slightly out). I really don't think she is a bad influence!

    It isn't her or any other person in the public eye fault if people copy what they do! People should have enough common sense to know what is right from Wrong!

    Obviously they shouldn't be drink driving (I don't know who ye were on about doing that) or illegal stuff on their social media platforms but other then that they can really do what they want!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 11,624 ✭✭✭✭meeeeh


    heyjude88 wrote: »
    I didn't name the influencer, so i'm not lashing out. I started the thread to see what other peoples opinions are. I work with mainly women in my job, and so many of the young girls have gotten lip injections and look so silly. Silly enough that management have had to step in as we are customer front line staff.  It's scary.

    Baby and Crumble responded to other points you made I just want to clarify that I didn't think you were lashing out. I just think points you made are part of a bigger problem. Last week interview with Richard Dawkins was cancelled by Berkeley Radio because his views were deemed anti Muslim. People might not like all the points he makes (I don't) but to cancel interview with one of the most influential scientists because some people don't like what he has to say is making us dumber.

    I am not comparing nonsense Rosana Davidson (for example) is peddling to what Dawkins has to say but who gives me or anyone else the right to be authority on what is appropriate. I can mock Davidson and ignore more zealous points Dawkins makes but I have that right only for myself. It's about free speech and unfortunately that is just as relevant for fitness nonsense as is for more substantial stuff.

    Edit: what I am trying to say is that there is more harm than good trying to protect people from our own stupidity.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 436 ✭✭Ray37


    The points I'm taking from this and agree with myself are not that people have to be super mindful of what content they share, but to be careful if their content is reflecting disordered eating, lying about cosmetic procedures (claiming they are all natural) etc. Checking your body in the mirror numerous times a day to show your 'progress' (when you look the same as yesterday) and sharing this on snapchat isn't normal behavior. Also, by photo shopping your new gym body, you are presenting a false reality, and some people are savvy enough to cop that these images are not real. Imagine being a similar size to said blogger as she was before, and now she is all of a sudden many, many sizes smaller (of course she has worked hard for this, no denying that) only to not realize she photo shops every picture of her body? Things like this can really affect people, they may wonder why they can't be as 'good' as her. There is so much fakery around, and it's so sickening to see this person share snaps of peoples messages to her saying how inspired they are by her, not realizing they are inspired by her photo shop app....


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 197 ✭✭Sunshineboo


    anna080 wrote: »
    I know ya, and the fab house in central Dublin with a cute puppy (who I'm feeling more sorry for by the day). It's not real life.

    Sure while I'm at it, on the topic of bad role models and irresponsibility- I just hate when these bloggers get themselves cute little Instagram friendly dogs, but are never actually around to look after them. Louise left her job about a month ago and has been jetting all over the world since, and her poor little pup who she only recently got is at home with her roommates. She should have thought about how much she'd be gone when she was considering buying him, but I'm sure the odd cute Instagram picture makes her feel like a good owner when she, for the most part, is not.

    I agree, I do like her but that really annoys me, she hardly spends any time with the puppy between events and travelling so much!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 21,039 ✭✭✭✭retro:electro


    The thing is though, why is it their responsibility to police their actions? Like I do understand the need for positive role models in everyone's life, but if they've gotten a following doing a certain thing (eg fitness blogs or whatever) then why should they have to change their content when they become successful?

    And I know lots of folks will say that kids are easily influenced, and that's a fair point. But kids aren't stupid either. I never once in my life thought that rock stars doing drugs was something I aspired to but I still liked their music. Why is this different?

    I do get your points and they are hard to disagree with really. But I do think that when you are marketing yourself to such a young audience, there should be a moral obligation to be responsible. Sure we were all teens once, and I'm not saying that anyone I idolised I blindly copied, but seeing them do things like complaining about weight or examining their bodies every day- the behaviour would become normalised. I think that's what they're guilty of doing, really- not being bad role models per say, (mainly because I think the term role model is cringe) but normalising potentially damaging and unhealthy behaviours- from excess shopping right down to body image.
    Nobody is asking them to police themselves, just have a bit of cop on as to what message you're sending and how it's coming across. Do what you want all you like off camera, but on camera I believe they need to have a little bit more self awareness.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 619 ✭✭✭NinetyTwoTeam


    Stupid narcissistic people will follow other stupid narcissistic people! If some Instamuppet is someone's inspiration and they can't see how fake it is and how it's just a new form of advertising to get you to buy stuff then what can you do?

    I'm on Instagram mostly to look at art and document my own art, when I see someone posting workout/yoga pics with a shedload of hashtags I just think how pathetic and desperate it looks, and trying so hard to get attention is really distasteful to me
    BUT... it's their personal account and they are under no obligation to post things that please me, or things that make them good role models.

    It's not called InstaRoleModel, and it's up to parents to monitor their kids, not the posters. If adults follow these posters blindly than that's their problem. If blogging didn't exist they'd just follow some eeejit down the road, if they have are predisposed to being a follower.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 856 ✭✭✭idunno78


    I agree about the photoshop thing! It's crazy the amount some People do! That really annoys me because it's not real and loads of younger girls, who don't realise it is fake aspire to be like said person! When they aren't even like that themselves! Something like that is kinda irresponsible.
    But at the end of the day the only person they are fooling there is themselves! Ya can't hide the pictures others take forever!!


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 436 ✭✭Ray37


    At the end of the day, you can post WHATEVER you like, it is your own Instagram/Snapchat/whatever. I just personally find it quite distasteful to blatantly lie about cosmetic procedures etc. Like it is extremely obvious, and to lie to followers who ask about it (quite often asking as they like the look, and want similar for themselves) is insulting. A good amount of people see through the photoshop etc, but by reading the comments on said bloggers Insta, it's clear how many are totally clueless about how much fakery is going on. Personally, it doesn't affect me, but I am concerned that vulnerable people lap it all up and think you can achieve a certain look without the aid of fillers and photoshop. To be clear, I have zero issue with cosmetic surgey and fillers etc, but I think you look like an eejit when you lie about it. I'd love my lips done myself.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,476 ✭✭✭neonsofa


    idunno78 wrote: »
    I agree about the photoshop thing! It's crazy the amount some People do! That really annoys me because it's not real and loads of younger girls, who don't realise it is fake aspire to be like said person! When they aren't even like that themselves! Something like that is kinda irresponsible.
    But at the end of the day the only person they are fooling there is themselves! Ya can't hide the pictures others take forever!!

    I'm no spring chicken and it took me a long time to realise how photoshopped photos are. Because I didn't personally use things like snap chat etc with filters I didn't know how they were used and so I believed they were real (not all but alot!). I've obviously copped on a lot over the last couple of years lol


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 108 ✭✭Mekekka


    Ray37 wrote: »
    At the end of the day, you can post WHATEVER you like, it is your own Instagram/Snapchat/whatever.

    For me the lines get blurry about being able to post whatever you want (as a blogger etc) on social media when your account is also a business one.. Most of these people on snapchat will say they use it as an 'everyday' way to connect with followers, which is great, and a lot will post just normal, chatty, daily bits and therefore when it is just them shooting the breeze/posting pics I would take it all with a pinch of salt (as it should be) but when they are also using it to promote products/themselves, to do reviews, etc , where does the buck stop? If viewers/readers are supposed to listen to them when they do promotions/reviews/ads on these channels, of course some are going to take other things they say (about looks, weight, food, etc) as gospel as well. *not everyone* of course and it is pretty obvious those on here don't tend to fall for any bs, but there are followers who will.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 113 ✭✭Madam Oblong


    scarbouro wrote: »
    So sue me

    100% thought this was about "It Galz" Lindsay. She genuinely seems to have a problem with alcohol and is sponsored by Bulmers! Lots of young followers watching that thinking it's normal. She can't get through a day without a can or six and it's worrying to watch. Hiding it around the house and all and getting plastered in front of her kids


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,260 ✭✭✭mel123


    100% thought this was about "It Galz" Lindsay. She genuinely seems to have a problem with alcohol and is sponsored by Bulmers! Lots of young followers watching that thinking it's normal. She can't get through a day without a can or six and it's worrying to watch. Hiding it around the house and all and getting plastered in front of her kids
    I started following her a couple of months ago. Must go now and unfollow her. What an absolute moran putting it politely. It's one thing f-Ing and blinding in private but so publicly it's horrible. Defiantly not a good role model for sure.
    Blogger in the literal sense, did she blog about anything before? Like from her snapchat she doesn't promote anything other than bulmers and laser hair removal I'm just wondering what she ever did for a following?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 249 ✭✭RoisinClare6


    100% thought this was about "It Galz" Lindsay. She genuinely seems to have a problem with alcohol and is sponsored by Bulmers! Lots of young followers watching that thinking it's normal. She can't get through a day without a can or six and it's worrying to watch. Hiding it around the house and all and getting plastered in front of her kids

    Same I unfollowed after seeing one to many 'linspired' pics of teens with their cans!! like what we should be delighted to see you've influenced people to drink? Imagine the out cry if it was weed or something but no it's ok because it's drink. Her drunken remarks are terrible. Oh and her constant personality/persona changes...jaysus.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 29,089 ✭✭✭✭LizT


    Mod

    Madam Oblong, please read the forum charter. You must be a member of boards for 3 months before you are allowed to post in the forum.


  • Moderators, Education Moderators Posts: 7,441 Mod ✭✭✭✭XxMCRxBabyxX


    Does anyone just feel like so many bloggers/influencers have lost respect for their followers? Not declaring ads or being sneaky about it, not caring about what content followers do/don't like as long as they're happy, making digs at people who do question it, etc. I feel like some are so absorbed into themselves that they've forgotten that their social media platforms are meant to be for the interests of their followers.

    Obviously this doesn't apply to everyone but I feel like its becoming more common.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 4,030 ✭✭✭njs030


    Does anyone just feel like so many bloggers/influencers have lost respect for their followers? Not declaring ads or being sneaky about it, not caring about what content followers do/don't like as long as they're happy, making digs at people who do question it, etc. I feel like some are so absorbed into themselves that they've forgotten that their social media platforms are meant to be for the interests of their followers.

    Obviously this doesn't apply to everyone but I feel like its becoming more common.

    I agree, muf's comment the other day along the lines of "it's my snapchat and I'll do what I like" pretty much said exactly that. Though the accompanying shoulder shrug was just funny :D


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 492 ✭✭guideanna


    YES! FBG this morning trying to tell ppl she "didn't realize" the #sp was hidden behind her snap name on screen.

    Oh Pllllease! :rolleyes:


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,821 ✭✭✭fussyonion


    Yes, Rosie Connolly is starting to come across this way a bit.

    She blocked someone from here because they asked about her working with Renault?
    Well what ARE you doing?
    If it isn't an ad what is the reason for you picking up another new car?
    Genuine question, not rhetorical.


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