A social media influencer is someone who has a massive online audience because of their personality or

skills. Due to their ability to shape trends and opinions, influencers have the power to influence youth
behaviour, promote diversity and the inclusion of different cultures, and influence youth’s perception of
today's issues.

First and foremost, social media influencers can influence how younger generations interact and engage.
These young generations feel closer to and trust social media influencers more than their own family
members because they are more relatable and they tend to observe influencers attitudes and ways of
interacting with people. For example, youth will start to talk politely with people. This will help improve
youth social skills and behaviour.

Secondly, promoting the diversity of different people’s backgrounds is also one of the positive impacts
of influencers on youth. By featuring individuals from a variety of backgrounds in their content,
influencers can help young people develop a more inclusive and accepting mindset. For instance, when
youth watch a makeup review by an Indian model, who has a darker skin tone than other races, They
will not take it as a joke and make fun of them. This helps make sure younger generations embrace and
respect all races.

Last but not least, influencers can impact youth’s perceptions towards sensitive issues. By sharing their
own experiences and struggles, influencers can help youth break the stigma surrounding mental health
and encourage them to seek help if they are struggling. This helps youth stay strong and know that there
will be ways to solve every problem.

In conclusion, while social media influencers may provide inspiration, their negative impact on youth
cannot be ignored. It is also crucial for parents to guide youth on how to critically evaluate the content
they consume on social media.