With the new COVID-19 strand and over 500,000 deaths due to the disease in the United States, following the proper procedures is more necessary than ever; however, this hasn’t stopped influencers from not following COVID-19 guidelines. This is highly problematic and irresponsible because they have millions of people looking up to them, and their actions set a bad example for their young and impressionable audience.
Multiple influencers have been traveling, not wearing masks, and not social distancing throughout the past year. In December, the famous TikTokers Chase Hudson, Charli and Dixie D’Amelio, Noah Beck, and Madi Monroe decided to go on vacation to the Bahamas. This group has a combined total of over 213 million followers on TikTok. Not only did they travel, but they also displayed it to their audience. Imaan Ali 24′ states, “They are so popular and a lot of people look up to them, they are role models for a lot of people and when they don’t follow the guidelines it sends a message of ‘you can do it too.'” There have also been numerous times when these influencers have been caught on camera, not social distancing, and not wearing masks while out with friends.
One of the larger and controversial occasions, however, was when the Kardashians threw a huge party on a private island for three-year-old Stormi Jenner, Kylie Jenner’s daughter. There were photos taken and posted to social media of them without masks. While they are not following the COVID-19 guidelines themselves, it also sets a bad example for their millions of followers. Their lack of respect for the rules is putting them and everyone they see at risk. Annabella Rozin 24′ commented, “They should be showing the common person how they should be acting … they either need to show themselves less at breaking COVID-19 laws, or they just shouldn’t do it at all.” These people need to make changes, and they need to learn and grow from their mistakes. With a large following comes responsibility, and by neglecting the rules, apologizing, and doing the same thing again, it displays a bad message to all of their audience.