Think about why you follow your favourite influencer.
Is it because they offer thought-provoking social commentary, or niche takes on current affairs? Maybe they make #relatable illustrations, have the best hair hacks or post inspirational fitness content. Maybe they just have (or possibly are - hey, no judgement) a really cute dog.
Social media influencing is one of the many new careers that has come out of the digital age and made superstars of many savvy users. But with the infiltration of social media into every aspect of our lives has come a new era for citizen’s journalism, which has recently seen those with the biggest followings being held to the same standards as reputable news outlets. But the influencer you follow because she’s got an eye for styling isn’t a reputable news source, and demanding she markets herself as one simply because she’s got the platform is at best unfair, and at worst could have dangerous consequences.
During the pandemic - and the US election before that – we saw the chaos that fake news and the sharing of false information could cause, to the point that social media giants like Facebook and Twitter were moved to slap ‘unverified’ labels on any questionable information.
This week on my social media feeds I’ve seen a number of my favourite influencers forced to defend themselves against accusations of not caring about the conflict in Ukraine because they’ve continued to post the kind of content followers know and love them for.
But I shan’t be unfollowing Rex 2 Paws, the two-pawed cat, for interrupting the relentless emotional drudgery of the bad news cycle with his attempts at getting down from furniture with just his back legs (spoiler: it's adorable), and nor will I be unfollowing my favourite sober curious influencer for daring to share her top picks of non-alcoholic gins at a time of global crisis.
Popular sex and relationship advice account Lalalaletmeexplain, who counts everyone from Love Islander Kaz Crossley to law-maker Gina Martin among her fans, took to her Instagram to share messages from followers this week including one that said: ‘I’m sorry but it’s a privilege not to care’ in response to her asking followers to stop messaging her about the ongoing conflict.
‘Please stop sending me DMs about the war,’ she said. ‘I don’t know enough about it. I should be able to choose when I want to access information about it and which sources I seek it from.
‘Me not reposting things is going to have no bearing on anyone or anything. Pleas stop sending me things and asking me to share them. I understand that everyone is feeling anxious, but a page about dating is not the place to direct your emotions about war.’
Another influencer who’s insta famous for her aesthetically pleasing cartoons empowering women is Lainey Molnar, who has also been faced with pressure to take on global politics on her platform.
‘I don’t take these personally but I’d like to reflect [on] the comments under my last post calling me out on “posting one Insta story about Ukraine between giggling outfits and Gucci shoes, when it’s everyone’s duty who has an audience to speak up”.’
She continued, ‘I can’t take on the weight of the world, I can’t fight all the battles. All my art is fighting at all times, for women. It’s a burden I don’t mind carrying, but it leaves my little empath soul in desperate need for recharge [which] I find in fashion and memes and lighter topics.
‘I’m doing my best to participate this time too. But I beg of you not to bully content creators. We are all doing our best.’
All of this criticism of influencers not doing enough ignores the fact that many - if not all - of them have shared resources and signposted ways to help victims of the conflict. The world is in agreement that the Ukrainian people, injured or displaced by an unprovoked attack, are in need of our support andsearches around how to help have spiked. So why are we demonising people like Lainey and Lala for simply doing their job?
As journalist Poorna Bell pointed out when she was asked by a follower why she wasn't posting about the war, ‘I don’t use Instagram as a news source (and honestly neither do I think others should) - and when I post on social media it’s usually to draw attention to causes or things that the media underplay or people are unaware of.
‘And also - it’s worth saying that people post about the things they resonate with or know about - you can’t be expected to post about everything.’
When I was pressured to post about the Israel/Palestine conflict last spring, all the reading in the world couldn’t qualify me to post a valid commentary or add anything to the conversation. Doing so would have been irresponsible, and we should applaud social media influencers for taking their platform seriously enough not to abuse it in this way, rather than chastise them for not performing the activism we feel they owe us.
READ MORE: Why You Need To Think Carefully When You Post About Russia And Ukraine On Social Media
Are We Seriously Blaming Putin’s Mother For His Invasion Of Ukraine?
Harry And Meghan Were Right To Show Their Support For Ukraine