China’s crackdown on ‘influencers’

I absolutely detest the word influencer, which is rather unfair I suppose. There are genuine experts out there, and they share their knowledge and tips for free. However, the social media space is presently full of ‘noise’ generated by loud, incompetent and downright stupid influencers trying anything to up their likes, get free stuff, or be paid. They promote dangerous stunts, challenges or pranks, espouse irresponsible methods, flog useless food supplements, glorify impulsive spending, share undemocratic ideals (don’t get me started on the manosphere), and ‘hauls’ of cheap tat from China. Most of the ads are not labelled as such either. Sweden recently had to put an age limit on active anti-ageing skincare, because children as young as seven are shopping in that beauty sphere, influenced by TikTok.

So in that respect, well done China!

And here is a very interesting article from Forbes.

As an aside, Stockholm is full of cherry trees. As the blossoms bloom, social media influencers approach in their hordes, carrying tripods, cameras, lights and large bags of clothing (which they normally return, according to some stores) to change into as they hog the prettiness in vast numbers.