While vlogging can be a creative outlet for self-expression, it has recently become a sought-after career choice for young people due to the fame, respect, and high earnings it can bring. However, it is important to recognize that vlogging is not an easy job, and its popularity as a profession should not be underestimated.
The development and proliferation of the vlogging industry can be credited to several creators who brought attention to the fact that vlogging can also be a source of income. However, it is unfortunate that some vloggers are intentionally manipulating the emotions of their viewers, leading to negative impacts on their lives. To support this claim, here are some relevant facts.
How are Vloggers contributing to the deterioration of viewers’ time and mental health?
Originally, Vlogging was a means of sharing one’s life experiences with a global audience. However, over the past 5–6 years, vlogging has evolved into a business that manipulates the emotions of its viewers for financial gain, thereby ruining their viewing experience. It is common to see clickbait on YouTube, where vloggers use misleading thumbnail images to claim fake events to attract clicks.
Impossible click baits
The use of clickbait is a concerning aspect of vlogging, as it drives viewers to watch videos out of curiosity and ultimately generates more revenue for the vlogger. Vloggers often present a highly edited version of their lives, featuring only the happiest moments and a compelling narrative while concealing the unfiltered moments, such as conflicts with friends or illegal activities. This misleading representation can be frustrating for viewers and contribute to a distorted understanding of reality.
Prepare a vlog script.
It is well known that some Vloggers create scripts for their videos to attract a larger audience. However, it is important to recognize that many of the events depicted in these scripts, such as chance encounters with celebrities, are often preplanned and not spontaneous. Furthermore, these scripted Vlogs can be dangerous for vloggers, as they may undertake challenges or stunts that they would not attempt in real life. The illusion of authenticity that these Vlogs present is ultimately just that—an illusion.
Supports unnecessary controversy
It is a common tactic for Vloggers to create unnecessary controversy to attract more viewers. In doing so, they often seek to elicit sympathy from their audience and indirectly benefit from their attention. For example, in 2019, Papa Ocus accused Mumbaiker Nikhil of using plagiarised content in a video. Mumbaiker Nikhil responded by attacking Papa Ocus, which ultimately led to an increase in fame for Papa Ocus. This demonstrates how Vloggers can manipulate their viewers into supporting the wrong things.
Fake charity and child abuse
In addition to manipulating their viewers for personal gain, some vloggers on YouTube have been known to engage in child abuse. While YouTube has policies in place to remove content that involves child abuse, it is often only reported and taken down after it has already been viewed. Vloggers may use the guise of charity work to make their videos more appealing, leading viewers to believe they are kind and compassionate. This manipulation of mental health through the use of fake content is a concerning aspect of Vlogging.
Doing a Portray
Vloggers often present a highly attractive and idealized version of themselves, becoming idols for their viewers. As a result, viewers are often eager to watch and emulate the actions of Vloggers, regardless of whether those actions are practical or not. Sponsored Vlogs, in which vloggers promote a company’s product, can be particularly insidious, as they may encourage viewers to use potentially harmful products solely to generate revenue for the vlogger. It is important to be aware of these manipulative tactics and to critically evaluate the content presented in Vlogs.
Master in Manipulation
Many Vloggers have mastered the art of manipulation to attract and retain a larger audience. This often leads to the development of a parasocial relationship between the viewer and the vlogger, as the viewer feels a sense of closeness to their favorite creator. However, this can also create an imaginary expectation for the viewer, as vloggers such as Caset Neistat may imitate trending incidents without considering the potential risks involved. It is important to be aware of these tactics and to approach Vlogs with a critical eye.
Lack of privacy
To attract more viewers, some vloggers may choose to feature their family members in their videos without their consent. This lack of privacy can have serious consequences, as the internet is a permanent record, and these exposures may lead to significant privacy concerns. For example, Gaurav Taneja and Sourav Joshi have faced threats from miscreants on multiple occasions due to their appearances on Vlogs. It is important for vloggers to respect the privacy of their loved ones and to consider the potential risks of exposing them to a large online audience.
Final verdict
As vlogging continues to grow in popularity, it has the potential to significantly impact the health, thinking, and manipulation of its viewers, who may develop a strong connection with the vlogger. We encourage viewers to be mindful of the content they consume and to avoid taking the wrong meaning from vlogs. Vloggers, on the other hand, should not use their platform to deceive or manipulate their audience for personal gain but rather to authentically share their experiences. Vlogging is meant to be a means of self-expression, not a means of earning extra cash.