Teen addiction to vloggers, social media influencers raises concern

KOZHIKODE : In the lines of excessive online gaming and use of social media platforms, regularly keeping up with online influencers and following food and travel vlogs has become a kind of digital addiction among teenagers. Social media influencers are often perceived as role models and trendsetters, with their opinions and behaviour impacting particularly adolescents.

Irrespective of gender, teenagers are more attracted to social media content, especially that produced by vloggers and influencers. “Some extreme cases of addiction have even led to hospitalisation. Children see them as role models and idols and try to copy their lifestyles or go to any extreme to imitate their styles,” says Dr P N Suresh Kumar, a Kozhikode-based psychiatrist.