EOTO #2

 The Mediasphere is described as The collective ecology of the world's media, including newspapers, journals, television, radio, books, novels, advertising, press releases, publicity and the blogosphere; any and all media both broadcast and published.

Deception is the act of deceiving. Online influencers are too good at this and have used their platform and popularity to deceive their audience. 

“Kendall Jenner has agreed to pay a $90,000 settlement for her involvement in promoting Fyre Festival on social media, according to a bankruptcy court filing.”

Visit https://www.nbcnews.com/pop-culture/pop-culture-news/kendall-jenner-pay-90-000-settlement-promoting-fyre-festival-n1212011 for more details on the scandal!

No one advertises that these influencers are making millions off their claims. We buy products based on the popularity and status of the people selling/endorsing them, little do we know that they may have never used or like the product themselves. Does Jennifer Anniston really use Aveeno lotion? Does Jamie Lee Curtis actually eat and enjoy Activia yogurt? 

Some names of the current top social media influencers are big time celebrities such as Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, and Taylor Swift who have a tremendous effect on their massive fanbases. However, in today’s day and age anyone can become an online influencer, thanks to social media apps like TikTok, instagram, and youtube. 

Furthermore, The app TikTok specifically blew up during Quarantine. At first you would think it’s ridiculous that these ticktockers who have dropped out of school in order to build their brand are making thousands, some even millions of dollars for hitting a million likes on a tik tok dance. But in reality, these people are taking the younger generations by storm and have tremendous influence over their audience, most of which are young. 

Just like how I (my generation) may have obsessed over Disney Channel, these kids are hooked on these apps like TikTok and their idols are these influencers. As stated before, online influencers aren’t just celebrities. There are influencers on Youtube, and TikTok.

And there are influencers for different subjects varying from health/fitness ( for example Chloe Ting), food/nutrition, fashion, and sports. 

There are different types of influencers: Gaming, Bloggers/Vloggers, Photographers, Sports Stars, Beauty Influenecrs, Activists, Actors/Actresses, Models. Furthermore, online influencers, like celebrities for example, use their platform to push an agenda ranging from advertising certain products to advertising their political views. 

For example, Charlie Damelio, along with other tiktokers are changing their profile pictures to BLM logo, using their platform to spread awareness. Jennifer Anniston has posted I Voted stickers, encouraging voting. Taylor Swift has not let her political views known until recently when “Miss Americana” aired on Netflix in 2020. She is now extremely vocal regarding politics. 

However, celebrities that tend to lean right have been banned from Hollywood, and even blacklisted from jobs. 

See the link provided for more details! https://thehill.com/opinion/technology/487640-hooray-for-hollywood-unless-youre-a-conservative

Big time actors such as Tim Allen, shows have been cancelled due to conservative political comments. In 2017 he joked to “Jimmy KimmelLive” in 2017 that being a conservative in Hollywood wasn’t easy. "You get beat up if you don't believe what everybody believes.” ABC dropped his very successful show “Last Man Standing” 2 months later.

Became very distinct and noticeable during the 2016 presidential election and all throughout President Trump’s term. 

Social Media is a huge part of our lives, whether we want to admit it or not, and online influencers play a tremendous role in affecting people’s choices and opinions.