Influencers and their

Harmful Influences
By Stella Lagos
 Social Media Influencer
Influencer Marketing Hub defines an an Influencer is someone who has:
● the power to affect the purchasing decisions of others because of his or her authority, knowledge, position, or
relationship with his or her audience
● a following in a distinct niche, with whom he or she actively engages. The size of the following depends on the size of
his/her topic of the niche.
They go on to define a Social Media Influencer as someone
who
● people who have built a reputation for their knowledge
and expertise on a specific topic
● make regular posts about that topic on their preferred
social media channels and generate large followings of
enthusiastic, engaged people who pay close attention to
their views
● brands love social media influencers because they can
create trends and encourage their followers to buy
products they promote
https://influencermarketinghub.com/what-is-an-influencer/#toc-0
 Research Questions
● What are the reasons why people online, especially
influencers go too far for views or likes?
● How are their fans or the general public pressuring
(directly or indirectly)?
● What are the repercussions of over posting or “going
too far”?
○ How are their reputations ruined?
○ How do they address their mistakes? (rhetorical
formats used)
○ How are the viewers affected?
● What are some examples of influencers who have
succumbed to the internet’s demand for views
 Examples
3 mil 5 Mil
Nikocado Avocado Tana Mongeau
popular YouTuber known controversial American
for his mukbang videos, internet personality, social
where he indulges in media influencer, and
large quantities of food, former YouTuber known
often showcasing for her vlogs, storytime
extreme and emotional videos, and turbulent
reactions, as well as relationships, often
documenting aspects of generating attention for
his personal life. her candid and
sometimes provocative
content.
287k
Lovely Peaches
controversial social
media personality known
for her explicit and
provocative content, as
well as her tumultuous
personal life, which has
sparked debates and
concerns within online
communities.
 Why is this important?
● Understanding the negative effects that stem from the desire for fame
online is crucial because it can prevent harm done to the person and
prevent any harmful things they might display. Using these famous
influencers as examples enables the discovery of how audiences perceive
harmful acts that are done, and pinpoint the specific drive for these
influences behaviors.
● Social media is an extremely relevant aspect of society that reaches almost
anyone who has a device. Navigating the harmful sides is important
because if users are careless, they can fall victim to the negative effects,
trying to replicate their favorite influencer simple for clicks and views.
● I will deep dive into the rhetorical strategies influencers use while
performing harmful displays and after, when showcasing their apologies.
No one yet has considered the appeals influencers take while “catering” to
their audiences in specifically controversial instances.
 Strategy
Based on the information acquired, I will analyze their biggest
controversies as well as their responses toward audience reactions. I
will compare their old content types to their new, after their famous
controversies had happened. I will also analyze the rhetorical
devices they utilize while catering to their audiences pre and post
controversy.

STEP Analyze
Research 2 Evaluate

I will gather information by referencing the
influencer’s social medias and look at their content
currently, referencing their old. I will read articles
and watch video essays explaining their
controversies. Additionally, I will review articles
explaining the emergence of social media’s
influence and how influencer’s curate to this desire
for fame.
Once I have specific events for each in mind, I will
evaluate the long lasting outcomes from their actions,
focusing on audience perception and ethicality of their
actions, specifically how each situation is rhetorical. I will
decipher just what devices they use, referencing the
rhetorical triangle, and applying it to the actions they take
while displaying their controversial situations as well as
after, when they address their repercussions.
 Sources
https://www.goalcast.com/nikocado-avocado-dangerous-tik-tok-me
ntal-health/

https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2018/06/what-happened-at-tanaco
n.html

https://youtu.be/lMLV1yxzfFQ?si=qq_Cr0b-1Vtwt0AD

https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt21215m0.19?searchText=social+media+
influencers+go+too+far&seq=1