Virtual Influencers: Are They Really A Good Influence?
Music by: KV – Enigma.
It’s CULTED with your 60-second NEWS BLAST.
You may have come across Instagram’s so-called “virtual celebrities”, CGI models created by brands with the sole purpose of advertising products.
Lil Miquela – the most popular virtual “singer” and “model” has a staggering 1.7 million followers, does sponsorships for big brands like Calvin Klein and Moncler, and has even been included in Time’s “most influential people on the internet”.
Influencers like Miquela are highly beneficial to brands as these digital creations are capable of being moulded into practically anything a brand desires, with full control over the persona and image they portray and even more important than that – ensuring brand safety.
Amazing from a brand’s perspective right?
But the story doesn’t end there.
In a new article by the Guardian, the safety of these fake influencers was questioned.
The article explains that through the creation of computer-generated influencers, companies can easily manipulate young people by using literally picture-perfect boys and girls that can speak to a large audience.
The article urges young people to question what they see online and to be careful of who they are viewing role models.
So – what do you guys think? Are virtual influencers are doing more harm than good?
Let us know below!
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See also: LIL MIQUELA CALLED OUT FOR ‘SEXUAL ASSAULT VLOG’
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