Are social media influencers turning into soft porn stars? Concerns over impact on youngsters

There is no stopping young and old from scrolling different social media pages as more and more people get addicted to them. Irrespective of age, almost everyone today from a very young child to old people has access to and makes use of the internet and especially are hooked to different social media platforms. While many such pages offer good entertainment and knowledge, in the last couple of years there has been a significant rise in the number of social media influencers using the leading platforms for skin show.

Most of the influencers focus on different important topics like wellness, lifestyle, and creativity but the last couple of years have seen the trend shifting towards sharing suggestive content that hints at porn and sexual engagements. Promotions and uploading content to boost engagement are acceptable but when young influencers use soft pornography and indulge in vulgar activities and photograph sharing it becomes a matter of huge concern.

Using Pornographic images for boosting followers

The algorithm of most social media platforms such as Instagram has been designed to give priority to content that can generate engagement. And to achieve that many social media influencers are making use of their half-naked or almost nude images on their social media pages to gain more likes and followers. Unfortunately, the majority of the time such images do not have any relevance to the content they are sharing.

For example, if a social media influencer is promoting his fitness advice, concept, or even a product it is acceptable that he/she is dressed in appropriate attire to show how the exercising machine works on abs or legs. But to show that the influencer does not need to drop clothes and share images in provocative poses. But that is exactly what is happening because more followers means more engagement which ultimately promises this influencer more revenue.

Unrealistic trend

This particular trend is not only unrealistic but is also very harmful. It can have the worst impact on the vulnerable minds of the minors. When young girls and boys are bombarded with such ideal beauty standards and images showing unrealistic expectations related to beauty and fitness they tend to feel insecure.

भोजपुरी फ़िल्म इंडस्ट्री का नाम बदलकर Soft Porn इंडस्ट्री कर देना चाहिए । #viralvideo#khesariLalYadav#Bhojpurfilmindustrypic.twitter.com/hmIb5cbrNy

— बड़का इंजीनियर (@BadkaEngineer) November 14, 2024

Importantly, these soft porn stars who use nudity and their sexuality to promote on social media indirectly also promote toxic attitude towards both sexes that also supports objectification of women and their body parts. It can develop harmful attitudes and habits among young boys and may make them insensitive towards women.