Ethics in Public Administration

A social media influencer is someone with significant influence over online followers. He/she is an individual who has built a large and active audience on online platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, etc. An influencer is someone who has developed a trustworthy online presence and can share his/her opinions, which will encourage his/her followers to make a decision.

Influencers have become an important agent of change in the society in the following ways:

• Some influencers use their social media platforms to spread social awareness. For instance, they make teenagers and college students aware of respecting the sexual orientation of the LGBTQ community.
• During the COVID-19 pandemic, children and teens used social media to fill the void of social interaction when they were unable to meet their friends or leave their houses. Teens also turned to influencers to remain positive during difficult times, as many promoted kindness and self-care.
• Some social media influencers are promoting wearing old clothes instead of new ones (the production of which can damage the environment). Scientists have agreed in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)’s latest report that “social
• influencers and thought leaders can increase the adoption of low-carbon technologies, behaviors, and lifestyles”. Influencers are also challenging social myths like superstitions, and gender stereotyping (such as, care work being the domain of women) and motivating society to question things based on rationality and scientific outlook.

The ethical issues involved in this regard are:

• Because of filters and photo-altering techniques, social media posts created by influencers promote unrealistic body standards. This can have a negative impact on the psyche of the youth leading to self-centrism and unrealistic comparison among people leading to alienation from society.
• A drug used to treat Type 2 diabetes was in extreme shortage after some celebrities and social media influencers touted it as a weight loss solution. Also, travel bloggers posting their videos of trips to Antarctica led to the doubling of tourism to this location, thus leading to concerns over the environmental impact of Antarctic tourism.
• Since the influencers often present a clean, shiny, and fun version of their lives, it can create a sense of inferiority among the general public. Also, it can promote a materialistic culture among the youth.
• Influencers often use false and/or misleading information to capture the attention of their followers. They are also communicating information to millions of people, without any set accountability for their actions.
• They sometimes promote unrealistic body features and habits that can have negative impacts on the youth. Further, increased social comparison due to social media influencers has been linked to anxiety, depression, sleep issues, and negative body image among the youth.

Though there are ethical issues involved due to the rise of social influencers, some influencers are also promoting positive environmental ethics, supporting noble causes, and bringing about positive changes in society. There is a need to bring about better regulations for the content posted on online platforms to ensure greater responsibility and accountability of social influencers.