This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s spring editorial intern Lindsay Daneen. Find her on Instagram at @_lindsay_daneen. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
Influencers have been infiltrating our lives since the 2000s. It originally started with blogs. It was a different form, but the premise was the same. Trendsetters. “Mommy Bloggers” were the original influencers. If you wanted to be the perfect mom, you simply needed to do everything these unrealistic and glorified supermoms did. Now, twenty-five years later we have the influencers that we know (and some love) today. With a multitude of subjects to influence and countless amounts of money being made by them and the companies sponsoring them, lately, there seems to be no topic that’s free of the sway of influencers. Influencers with no qualifications is the name of the game. And I believe it should stop immediately. There are so many reasons why it’s problematic and not sustainable. And I’m happy to delve into them with you.
Why This Topic Matters
Let me start by saying that this is personal to me. I follow influencers just like everyone else. But what I originally loved about them was that they were speaking on areas of their expertise. They talked about fashion and makeup tips, the best places to eat and visit, etc. I trust them in these areas. However, now it seems they are infringing on areas where they are not qualified to do so. It’s personal to me because I see the harm that it has done to me and my peers over the years. The tailspin it has put us in. The confusion it has caused. Add it to the list of things that make social media unsafe. And it’s harmful because they have earned our trust under false pretenses.
Fitness
Fitness influencers are interesting. Here is the infuriating truth. Many fitness influencers are unqualified people who want to share their unprofessional knowledge and opinions with the world. They either learned from Google or made it up themselves, based on their personal experience or because it sounded good. I know. It sucks. But don’t kill the messenger. A lot of influencers are people who have gotten plastic surgery, have used other supplements to aid in their journey, and some were simply born with fast metabolisms and society-approved physiques. I don’t know about you but I don’t want fitness advice from someone who is not qualified, does not use science-based information, or hasn’t struggled the same way I have to reach their goals.
Don’t get me wrong. I believe weight loss and achieving any physical fitness goals should be applauded. However, the issue with the fitness influencer industry is it’s not rooted in transparency. It’s rooted in sales, likes, and views. They won’t divulge which aspects of their fitness routine are for show and which are the real deal. They don’t mention that they got a slight nip and tuck to rid themselves of loose skin and other imperfections. Something else they don’t mention is their photoshopped photos. Instead, they say that it was a supplement, hard work, or the mindset they have that you’re somehow lacking. The fitness influencer industry is built on selling something that no one can buy. A fantasy. They are not qualified to give any advice in the fitness realm except how to put on a façade to sell fitness-related products and images.
Mental Health
Mental health is nothing to play with. Neither are the other things on this list but mental health especially. It’s so fragile. Therefore, mental health influencers who do not have credentials and a good track record are not a good idea. They should be evaluated with a fine-tooth comb. As a rule of thumb, you should make sure they are not recommending any medications or supplements without a medical assessment or recommending that you discuss it with your doctor first. Also, be sure to know the difference between mental health influencers and motivational speakers/ life coaches. One last bit of advice in the section… just because they have the title of Dr in front of their name, that doesn’t mean they are one.
Women’s Wellness
As I just mentioned, a title does not prove these aren’t influencers with no qualifications. It simply means they typed it in their bio and the handle was available when they created the account. That being said… are we really taking midwifery advice from influencers? It takes approximately 6-8 years to become a Certified Nurse Midwife. So please understand that although appreciated, uncertified midwifery advice sounds like a no-go. My recommendation is to also look up their name on the American Midwifery Certification Board website. At least this way you’ll know if your influencer is there to influence or truly keep you safe and informed.
Physical Health
Fortunately, I forgot his name, but I just came across a health influencer who said that water has absolutely no nutritional value and that we should replace it with other liquids like juice. Imagine that! We, as humans, are 60% water, yet water has no nutritional value whatsoever. What a revelation. I’ve also seen influencers like Zhanna D’Art, who died practicing what they preached on social media. But she deemed herself a raw vegan expert. And so did others. I wonder what they’re thinking now…
Why This Is A Problem
I’m not trying to burst your bubble or disturb anyone’s means of income. I acknowledge that influencing is a job just as much as a lifestyle. However, that does not change the fact that this is harmful. It’s not rooted in reality. It’s rooted in making others feel that they can simply pull up a social media app to get information that should only be given by qualified professionals. It dilutes the market and allows misinformation to spread. This may not sound like a big deal, but it is. There’s a reason why people spend years training and educating themselves to be qualified enough to be called experts. Doctors, physical trainers, women’s health professionals, nutritionists, the list goes on. False and exaggerated information should not be so easily accessible. It promotes toxic fitness, negative body image, unrealistic expectations, and in some cases, injury or death.
What To Do Instead
If I wasn’t clear, I think following influencers is fine. There’s nothing wrong with it, as long as you’re mindful and intentional. Pay attention to what the influencer you’re choosing to follow promotes. Do they promote body positivity? Or are they telling you how to achieve their personal body goals? Are they providing steps to overall health and wellness? Or are they telling you what to eat and drink with a link to another business in the caption? Do they only post pictures of them looking perfect or do they post their stretch marks and food babies as well? Are their blemishes visible while they execute their dynamic makeup routine? This will help you determine whether these influencers are trying to positively impact your life. Some influencers are worth watching. You just need to weed them out in the sea of impostors and opportunists.
Think of it this way. Would you walk into a doctor’s office, a university, a mental health facility, or a hospital and readily take information or treatment from an influencer? So, ask yourself why you’re so ready to accept it when it’s coming through your phone screen. Influencers with no qualifications are not good for social media or us as consumers. Maybe it’s time to start calling this behavior out, respectfully. Do your research and don’t get fooled by convincing and predatory influencers with no qualifications. It’s time to make social media a safe place where accurate information and opinions are easily identifiable with a clear distinction between the two. Mental health, fitness, midwifery, etc are not trends. Therefore, you don’t need this information from trendsetters.
How do you feel about unqualified influencers? Can you recommend any that are qualified? Let us know in the comments!
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