Undercover Evil: How Influencer Culture Affects Teenagers’ Self-Image

By Sophie Persia

12/8/25

TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat. These three social media platforms all have one aspect in common: influencers. Influencers are people who utilize social media daily to express opinions on various topics and objects (Lajnef). As social media has become a trademark in today’s society, the impact influencers have over consumers has grown exponentially. However, influencers have a particularly strong hold over teenagers due to their developing minds and bodies. Many teens turn to influencers for comfort, connections, and comparisons. Yet, not all interactions between influencers and teenagers are positive. There are many dark aspects of social media and influencer culture that can yield negative repercussions for teens. The false comparisons and gaslighting of social media influencers negatively affect teenagers’ self-image as they try to navigate their self-worth and identity as adolescents. 

According to author Karima Lajnef, influencers are people who use social media daily to express their opinions on differing topics and objects (Lajnef). Teenage girls tend to gravitate towards influencers reviewing beauty, fashion, or body positivity, while teenage boys to sports, gaming, or lifestyle tips (Stern).  Many marketing experts report that influencers are “opinion leaders,” making their marketing strategy powerful and irresistible (Lajnef). However, not all influencers use their social media platforms in a positive manner. Influencers are able to warp their reality to gaslight audiences into believing that they need a certain product or live a certain lifestyle to achieve an ideal lifestyle. This leaves teenagers vulnerable to anxiety and confusion as they attempt to figure out who they want to become. Author Robin Stern writes, “They make their lives look effortless while hiding the privilege, access, money, or behind-the-scenes work that goes into it” (Stern). Although people of all ages can be affected by influencers' gaslighting, teenagers are the most susceptible age group. This is due to the fact that during adolescence, brain regions associated with the desire for attention and reinforcement become more sensitive. Simultaneously, the brain regions involved with self-control have not fully developed (Weir). In addition to this, 45% of teenagers have reported to Pew Research that they spend too much time on social media, exposing themselves to toxic behavior (Faverio et al). The brain development of teenagers, combined with the negative marketing strategies of influencers, causes teens to be greatly affected by social media.

Teenagers look to influencers for role models and examples of who they aspire to be; however, this often causes unhealthy comparisons between them and teenagers and can ultimately affect the teens’ self-worth. Something that teenagers look for during adolescence is belonging. To reinforce this, they turn to influencers on social media (Lajnef). This also parallels the idea that the more likes and comments an influencer has, the more popular and liked they are. This then translates into a measure of self-worth recognized by teens, who strive to be liked and appreciated by their peers (Smith). When author Molly Smith interviewed clinical therapist Alyssa Acosta, who leads the Adolescent Partial Hospital Program at Loma Linda University Behavioral Health, she stated, "Social media platforms are flooded with meticulously curated profiles, showcasing seemingly perfect lives, flawless appearances, and ideal bodies, this constant exposure to images of seemingly perfect individuals can lead young people to develop unrealistic expectations about their own appearance and life achievements” (Smith). This behavior in adolescents intensifies the pressure to present a perfect image online (Smith). Influencers greatly impact the way teens perceive themselves and their self-worth. 

Secondly, as teenagers work through their adolescent lives, many turn to influencers to discover their identities, passions, and interests. Teenagers go through a self-establishment phase during puberty, so, as they take in messages from influencers, it can greatly influence their identity formation. Lajnef writes that during adolescence, teenagers use information from sources like social media platforms to discover their personal identity. The prominence of social media in the lives of teenagers causes them to rely heavily on the personalities and traits of influencers to form their own identities. Furthermore, it has been shown that targeted advertisements influence teens to practice new appearances and consumption. Lajnef writes, “In return, the high degree of persuasion impresses the behavior, attitudes, and decisions of teens with influences in their identity formation” (Lajnef). Influencers can greatly impact the way teenagers discover their identity and sense of self. 

On the other hand, some experts believe that influencer culture and social media can be beneficial for teenagers. An overwhelming amount of teens believe that social media is a positive space for mental health and interconnectedness. According to a study done by Pew Research, 74% of teens feel social media helps them be more connected with their peers, as well as 63% believing that platforms allow them to express themselves creatively (Faverio et al). According to author Kirsten Weir, social media can promote socialization for adolescents experiencing social isolation. By interacting with others on social media platforms, they can slowly become more comfortable with interacting with others in person. Additionally, social media can help teenagers connect with support networks, which is especially important for marginalized groups (Weir). Although social media can offer benefits like socialization and support groups, it is also home to influencers who can negatively impact their self-image. 

Although influencers and social media can encourage creativity, social behaviors, and connection to support groups, the influencer culture is overall harmful to their self-image. Oftentimes, influencers lack expertise and promote unhealthy body images and diets. Furthermore, influencers can offer inaccurate information regarding different diagnoses and treatment advice (Engel et al). However, when offering this information to the most vulnerable consumers in the market, adolescents, this can negatively impact their self-esteem and overall self-worth (Lajnef). The authors of “Social media influencers and adolescents’ health: A scoping review of the research field” write that, “This dilemma raises concerns about their suitability as alternatives to traditional information sources, such as direct contact with doctors, nutrition experts, psychologists, or parents” (Engel et al). The authors point out that this faulty information influencers advertise on social media is particularly concerning for the teenage generation as there are increasing rates of obesity and mental health issues within this age category (Engel et al). Social media can be a space for teens to express themselves and connect with others, however, it can also be a breeding ground for unhealthy habits and behaviors that have been promoted by influencers. 

The self-discovery and mental health of teenagers are negatively affected by influencer culture because of the gaslighting of adolescent audiences and comparative behaviors in teens. With the tendencies of teenagers to compare themselves to others, influencers can play vital roles in the development of their teen audiences. As adolescents attempt to search for their identities during their teenage years, influencers can also shape what interests and passions they pursue. However, influencers have the ability to use their platforms in a harmful way by gaslighting their audiences, and with teenagers being the most vulnerable consumers, this can be especially dangerous. To combat this issue, parents can control the amount of social media exposure their children can get each day and on what platforms. Teens should shy away from apps like TikTok and Instagram who are dominated by influencers. Additionally, these apps can place more strict age limits into place when downloading the platform to decrease the amount of adolescents present. TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat. Influencers dominate these platforms, their messages leaving a lasting impression on the adolescent generations.

Sources:

• Social media influencers and adolescents’ health: A scoping review of the research field

• Teens, Social Media and Mental Health

• The effect of social media influencers' on teenagers Behavior: an empirical study using cognitive map technique

• The impacts of social media on youth self-image

• Likes and Lies: The Effects of Influencers on Teens

• Social media brings benefits and risks to teens. Psychology can help identify a path forward