The Momma Clan

In today’s digital era, vlogging has become a popular career choice for many. With platforms like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok offering opportunities to earn through views, sponsorships, and advertisements, an increasing number of individuals are taking up vlogging as a full-time profession. While vlogging can be a creative outlet and a means of financial success, it comes with its own set of dangers – many of which are often overlooked.

What is Vlogging?

Vlogging, short for video blogging, involves documenting aspects of one’s life or expertise through videos and sharing them on social media platforms. Vloggers create content on various topics such as travel, lifestyle, parenting, beauty, fitness, and even their daily routines. Some vloggers become influencers, garnering millions of followers and collaborating with brands to promote products.

However, in the race for views and viral content, many vloggers tend to expose their private lives – sometimes to an extent that can have severe consequences.

The Harmful Effects of Vlogging

1. Loss of Privacy

One of the most significant downsides of vlogging is the invasion of personal space. When individuals share every detail of their lives online, their privacy is compromised. What begins as a fun activity can quickly turn into an obligation to constantly share updates, leading to exhaustion and mental strain.

2. The Impact on Family and Children

Many vloggers involve their families and children in their videos, sometimes even making them the central focus of their content. While this may attract a larger audience, it can have serious consequences:

• Lack of Consent: Young children, who are too young to understand the implications, are often forced into the spotlight without their consent.
• Exploitation: Some parents turn their children into “content,” using their milestones, tantrums, and personal moments to gain views. This raises ethical concerns about child exploitation.
• Mental and Emotional Effects: Constant exposure to the camera can make children feel pressured to perform or behave in a certain way, affecting their natural development.

3. Security Risks

Exposing daily routines, home locations, or travel plans can make vloggers easy targets for stalkers, burglars, or online predators. Many influencers have faced incidents where fans showed up at their homes uninvited, leading to severe safety concerns.

4. Psychological Struggles

• Addiction to Validation: Vloggers often become obsessed with likes, comments, and views, affecting their self-esteem and mental health.
• Burnout: The pressure to upload consistently can lead to stress, anxiety, and even depression. Unlike regular jobs, vlogging does not offer job security or stability.
• Trolling and Online Harassment: With fame comes criticism. Many vloggers face online abuse, hateful comments, and cyberbullying, which can be mentally distressing.

5. Fake Perfection & Unrealistic Expectations

Vloggers often portray a curated version of their lives, showcasing only the best moments. This creates unrealistic expectations for viewers who may compare their lives to the seemingly “perfect” lives of influencers, leading to dissatisfaction and self-esteem issues.

6. Ethical Concerns and Deception

• Clickbait Culture: Many vloggers use misleading titles or exaggerated thumbnails to attract views, leading to a decline in content authenticity.
• Hidden Sponsorships: Some influencers fail to disclose paid promotions, deceiving their audience into believing they are offering unbiased opinions.
• Privacy Violations of Others: Filming in public places often involves capturing people who have not given consent to be on camera, raising ethical and legal concerns.

Should Vlogging Be Regulated?

With the increasing risks associated with vlogging, discussions around stricter regulations are gaining momentum. Some countries have introduced laws protecting child influencers, ensuring that earnings from content featuring minors are safeguarded. However, more awareness and responsibility are needed from both vloggers and viewers.

The Need for Balance

While vlogging can be an exciting and lucrative profession, it is essential to strike a balance between sharing content and maintaining privacy. Vloggers must be mindful of the long-term effects of exposing their lives and families to the world. Being cautious, respecting boundaries, and prioritising mental and emotional well-being should always come before chasing views and fame.

Ultimately, the question remains – how much of your life are you willing to trade for the digital spotlight?

-Dr Arwa Saifi