Should Influencers prove they are experts in their fields before posting about it?

I think those who are influenced should be more critical of what they believe too, we seem to have a dearth of critical thinking and I think social media is making it worse. I'm sure many influencers are doing nothing harmfull and may even be duped themselves, but there are some who seem to have their heads wrapped in pillows. As I was told as a child, 'would you jump in the sea if so-and-so told you too?'

Expecto_Patronum said:

I think lived experience can count for more at times.

There is a term for this, 'expert by experience'. But you can't be an expert by experience brain surgeon, for example [perish the thought ]. In my mental health degree, 'expert by experience' was valid in course work for describing mental phenomena  - this was not for diagnostic purposes only explaining a personal experience of that phenomena.

Martin said:

I check it using sources that are verifiably independent and verifiably as accurate and reliable as is possible.

I do this too. For example, Which, or Autocar or other experts sites giving product reviews.

Stuart333 said:

just because someone is a expert on one thing does not make them an expert on everything.

This is so true, a common mistake. So many, especially immature and vulnerable people, believe what they read onine. There is a huge difference between freedom of speech and license - ie, freedom without ethics. Ethics seems an old fashioned concept these days, especially in public life. Now religion is no longer the force it was, there is [as yet] nothing to replace the teaching of ethics, especially to kids from broken homes. The citizenship course is far too narrow.

There has to be some censorship, now the internet is a common source of information. The Chinese government is highly oppressive, but here I think they are on the right track. It is too easy for malcontents to start conflicts in a dangerous, volatile world. There are many sociopaths who love spreading misinformation and mischief.

Things like these ought to be regulated or blocked - giving medical information, posing as a mental health expert, inciting criminality, inciting violence, posing as an expert /bogus qualifications, writing essays for university students, 'miracle cures'.

It's a complex situation. I feel that while influencers should be held accountable for spreading misinformation, they should also have freedom of speech. Basically, what I mean is, they should be able to say whatever they want, but also do so responsibly rather than just straight up being hurtful or spreading horrible ideals.

They are people with an interesting personality that people choose to watch.

If you view it as entertainment, fine. But I don't really get why people believe them on many different things. I suppose they trust their judgement. When you have millions of products to buy, someone telling you which ones to get, or giving advice, it looks helpful. But you don't know them or their background or their biases/ knowledge, etc.

Good con men also have engaging personalities that suck you in. I am not saying they are con men, but just that certain people have a communication style that people find engaging and trustworthy.

You can learn it, interrogators use it, but it is psychological manipulation. It is possible some influencers do it consciously, but some probably don't. They often cultivate carefully curated online personalities and an image.

Anyway, it says as much about the people following them as about the influencers. If they declared their interests, like MPs, or declared their background so you could judge how much weight to put on what they say, I can't see it would be bad.

And of course, just because someone is a expert on one thing does not make them an expert on everything. Also, regular people can also have very food ideas abe views. The thing is to use critical thinking and check what people say, but most people don't. 

I can understand that and I know there are genuine people out there and I don’t mind if the subject is a more valuable one, but I’m like you I can’t stand all these random ones who get followers just for doing silly things. I mean these days people seem more interested in someone having a drink of water as opposed to raise awareness for something more important like illnesses etc

Well I can understand the reasoning behind it all. I suppose people just have to be careful and not get completely suckered in. Yeah when I’ve been nosy at asmr I’ve noticed a few people sponsor a mattress or bed company so I guess they are classed as influencers. But I do worry about how some can abuse their power if that makes sense but again that could be over paranoia on my half 

Yep, that's exactly why some influencers mention specific brands in their videos. If they are considered popular enough, they will be sent products (free of charge), and be paid to do a review of those products.

Is it manipulation? Well, if someone watching is vulnerable and prone to believe everything said, then it could be considered as a form of manipulation.

There are different reasons why people become influencers. For some, it's a way of making money. For others, it can be that they have low self-esteem and desperately want to be liked, feel popular, etc.

Yes. They have to put on the video that is is an ad though so that people know it is paid.

I think many influencers are well meaning. I have watched quite a few who are raising awareness of various disabilities and I certainly wouldn't put these people in the category of manipulative. I think it can get muddied when it moves to topics such as politics. This is why the question gets posed, should people have qualifications, because misinformation form influencers can be huge. The ones I don't like are the ones that just do ridiculous stunts and always have some kind of drama going on. I don't see the benefit of these people at all or why people would want to follow them. But I do think a lot of these people are most likely to manipulate and will often set up Amazon wish lists and po boxes for people to send to. Now some people do this for charity or when there is a genuine need - that's fine. But just for your own gain because people enjoy watching you open it - I don't love that. They don't force people to send things granted but this where I think people can be manipulated even if there person didn't intend to manipulate them.

Sorry that was a bit waffley. In summary I'd say most have good intentions but there are always going to be some that are actually manipulative.

Ahh ok that makes sense. Is that why some of these YouTubers mention brands in their videos? Like they are being sponsored? Also would these influencers be classed as manipulative if they are “influencing” opinions? Or am I being overreactive there? I’m only asking the latter because of the manipulation I got at work and school and in the family and I can’t see things the way I used to and it’s for the worst. 

I get that with Tilly Ramsey, I actually found her to be very nice when she was on strictly in lockdown tbh

It's basically anyone that makes videos and has a large following. They have the power to "influence" people's opinions. They often have a specific topic that they post about such as a disability, gaming, money or fashion. They get brand deals that they get paid for advertising and get paid for views etc of their videos. They aren't necessarily celeb status. Many started as ordinary people and are just well known to their group of followers. People like Tilly Ramsey get a leg up because her dad is well known.

I am super embarrassed to ask this especially with being Gen Z girl but what the F is an influencer?! I don’t follow social media or anything. If it stops all these random people doing silly things which makes them qualify for celeb status and go on strictly or the jungle then I’d be for it. Saying that I never minded Tilly Ramsey who is apparently an influencer but what does she do? All I know is she’s Gordon’s daughter. 

See this is an issue for me again. How many of us have had poor experiences with professionals not actually understanding autism. How many stories have there been on here about not being diagnosed because they can make eye contact etc. A degree doesn't equal understanding when it comes to something like autism for me. I think lived experience can count for more at times. Yes an understanding of the workings of the brain might be useful and I'm sure there are NT professionals with degrees who do have a good understanding. I guess my point is being qualified doesn't necessarily remove misinformation.

Although I don't actively 'follow' any online influencers, I think that if they are using their platform to talk about their own lived experiences, then it is fine. However, if they are an unqualified person giving out medical advice (or whatever) then I think it's wrong.

I know there are people who seem to look upon influencers as God-like beings. They will believe everything influencers say, without doing their own research to check if anything an influencer has said is actually true. I mean, it's fine if influencers can back up what they say by sign-posting to reputable sources, but if they don't then I think it pays to take what they say with a pinch of salt.

This is true (if this happened in the UK) but I doubt if the web monitors (ie the government) would worry about which speciality was talked about by the person so long as their degree was relevant.

I suspect the intention would be for the user base to reach their own decisions and be "influenced" or not.

I guess a non-autistic person could therefore become an "autistic influencer" simply by having a degree in psychology then :).

mp500 said:

I guess if I became one of those "autistic influencers", what qualifications would I need?

Since autism is a neurological issue, a degree studying the mind would be the logical choice, or whatever qualifications a psychotherapist needs.

 I think that caveat emptor applies. If I see anything being talked about by anyone online that interests me or could be to my benefit, I check it using sources that are verifiably independent and verifiably as accurate and reliable as is possible. If you are naïve or easily led, that will eventually be remedied through experience.

I guess if I became one of those "autistic influencers", what qualifications would I need? Is a diagnosis enough? Or would I have to go and study it at college first?