UNDER THE INFLUENCE

The past two decades have seen the rise of a new type of celebrity. Their fame comes from their ability to entertain fans and influence viewers with their opinions and recommendations. These celebrities are known as social-media influencers, and they've become an essential part of youth culture as both role models and spokespeople¹.

Social-media influencers have done much to change how people interact with one another. They've also helped change how companies, governments, and industries interact with us. For most people, influencers are sources of entertaining and informative² content about topics such as fashion or video games. But others see them in a much less positive light. Many critics believe that influencers can quickly become negative role models because they frequently act poorly in stream and in public. For example, the YouTuber PewDiePie has been called out several times for making racially³ charged comments in stream. But not all influencers are simply acting out for the camera. Some use their celebrity to create discourse and spread messages of positivity⁴.

People often criticize social media for contributing to a growing sense of superficiality⁵ in society. By using filters and beauty applications such as Facetune, content creators⁶ can create a "perfect" version of themselves. These beauty applications have been criticized for being shallow and for pressuring people to try and obtain an impossible standard of beauty. In response, some influencers promote body positivity. Body positivity is a social movement meant to stop people's growing sense of dissatisfaction with their appearance. Its purpose is to empower⁷ individuals and challenge the ways in which society views and presents the physical body. It promotes all body types no matter their shape, size, race, gender⁸, or appearance. The movement, which started small, is now supported by many social-media influencers and "traditional" celebrities, including Alicia Keys, Jameela Jamil, and Demi Lovato.

Social media isn't used just for entertainment; it's also used to share ideas. Unfortunately, though, some of these ideas are damaging and promote hate. But for every hate-filled and degrading post, there are those who counter⁹ by promoting equality, understanding, and healing. In 2020, the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, which started in 2013, gathered huge public attention following George Floyd's death in Minneapolis. With the help of many influencers, the movement generated over 11.8 million engagements (likes, shares, and comments) on Instagram. The magnitude of public attention given to the movement even brought in corporate support. Companies such as Walmart, Nike, H&M, and others, went on to promise large donations¹⁰ to the BLM movement.

Social-media influencers also circulate information about global concerns such as global warming and wildlife conservation. Their efforts are further advanced thanks to traditional celebrities, such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, and Billie Eilish, who have posted on social media in support of the fight against climate change. Influencers such as Greta Thunberg have used social media to great effect and have even helped to create real change by inspiring people to make donations and change policies.

Influencers may be a relatively new form of celebrity, but their reach is just as broad as that of a traditional celebrity. One might even argue that their influence goes further because they connect more with their fans. Their words carry weight, and when they're used appropriately, they can influence people to change the world for the better.

• body positivity
• in stream
• entertain and inform
• feel dissatisfied
• encourage corporations
• circulate damaging

• circulate
• conservation
• shallow
• discourse
• degrading
• magnitude

Online Cancel Culture

"Cancel culture" is the practice of removing support from a public figure or company after they've done or said something considered offensive. Many see cancel culture as a force for good. It has helped to fight abuse, racism, and many other kinds of wrongdoing. But others argue that cancel culture goes too far in punishing people and prevents free speech.

The year 2020 saw many famous figures being "canceled." Among them were celebrities such as J. K. Rowling, Jimmy Fallon, Vanessa Hudgens, and others. Another big celebrity cancellation involved actress and MMA fighter Gina Carano. Carano refused to apologize for a series of controversial posts on social media, which eventually led to her being dismissed from Disney+ series The Mandalorian. These included comments offensive to minority groups and posts which cast doubt on the threat of COVID-19. In addition to losing her job, she also lost an agreement with toy manufacturer Hasbro. The toymaker dropped her Mandalorian action figure after she was taken off the show.

Not everyone agreed with Carano's dismissal. Her fans continued to stand behind her. They even created a petition, which had gathered more than 75,000 signatures as of March 2021, for Disney to rehire her. For many of her fans, dismissing Carano was an attack on her right to free speech and an example of cancel culture going too far.