Celebrity Example

The power of influence

Social media stars throw events and parties with large crowds during COVID-19

Hayley Brown brownhay000@hsestudents.org

TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, YouTube and other media platforms have given people the opportunity to connect with others during the COVID-19 pandemic. Media influencers use these platforms to keep their viewers and fans entertained while being in quarantine. Many of these influencers produce content while practicing social distancing and wearing masks, but some influencers are doing the complete opposite. Los Angeles is a home for many social media influencers and is a gateway for them to make collaborative content with each other. The county has approximately 13,821 COVID-19 cases as of Oct. 5 and is a hotspot for the pandemic due to the high population. California Governor Gavin Newsom has placed Los Angeles county in Tier 1 of his risk scale, making Los Angeles one of the most at-risk counties in California. This information has not stopped popular influencers that reside in their county from holding events or parties with other influencers such as James Charles, Tana Mongeu, Jake Paul and many others. “Obviously, there is a global pandemic going on, and for figures who are partying in Los Angeles with collectively millions of followers, it’s a terrible way of representing to their followers of what they should be doing during a pandemic,” junior Abbie Kilgore said. Some influencers have received consequences including TikTok personalities Bryce Hall (14 million followers) and Blake Gray (6.9 million followers). Both have been charged with misdemeanors after throwing parties in the Los Angeles area that violated public health protocols set for COVID-19. Hall and Gray face $2,000 in fines and up to a year in jail. “I feel as if they do not realize the damage the pandemic has caused too many people and understand the importance of certain protocols that have taken place,” senior Ali Danielson said. YouTube creator Tanner Fox posted a video of his positive test for COVID-19 via YouTube. Fox said he was in contact with influencer Jake Paul a few days prior to getting his test results back. Paul said he was not worried about potentially being exposed to COVID-19 and did not selfquarantine after receiving news from Fox. “I think they are not following protocols just because of the monetary value they can gain from making more content with other people who are famous will end up with them getting more views,” Kilgore said. Older creators, such as Tyler Oakley, warned younger influencers to lead a better example for their audience. The age range for many of these young creators on media platforms varies from 18 to 24-years-old, according to the Statista website. 41 percent of TikTok users are between 16 to 24-years-old, according to the Omnicore website. “I have noticed many of these creators are younger,” senior Charles Scott said. “I feel many of them think they are invisible and believe they won’t get the virus.” Creator Jessica Serna or known as MyCurlyAdventures on TikTok has recently produced content combined with her adventures in Texas, recognition of small businesses, and COVID-19 safety protocols. Social media has been used to share information regarding the pandemic, and ways to protect yourself and others. “I’ve seen doctors on TikTok giving tips about sanitizing and the benefits of wearing a mask,” Danielson said. “It’s helped me realize how serious this pandemic is, and how I can keep myself and others safe.”

Instagram poll taken on Oct. 1. One hundred and three people took the poll. Poll and graphic by Hayley Brown.