Love this well researched piece! I work with people with eating disorders and have to encourage reduced time on social media and active 'management' of the algorithm like you said. People with EDs are over 300% more likely to be shown diet and body checking content online which is pretty horrific. I write about these sorts of topics on my publication if you want to check it out :)
Thank you so much for the thoughtful comment Sophie! I've just had a look at your Substack, Off The Scale - I love your recent piece on electrolyte drinks.
And YES, the surging popularity of ED-adjacent content has me incredibly worried. Your work is so important.
Enjoyed how you zoomed out and back to ground us in the context of travel photographs, and then a second time in the data related to influencing. Your hard work and conscientiousness is getting these right — and citing your sources — is appreciated!
Thank you for the thoughtful comment Pinky, I so appreciate it - it honestly means the world to me that people are taking the time to read this looooong long essay! I wanted it to be both personal and informative, and I'm glad that came through for you.
Thank you for such an insightful and honest essay! I don’t think it’s easy for anyone to be so critical of their own actions and then tie that to a larger/wider narrative. The information and facts on the harm on girls and women, as well as the overall negative impact of social media was also very important. How do you feel about Substack as a social medium?
Thank you so much for the lovely comment, I've been exploring more of your Substack and am learning so much from you! As for Substack... I'm loving it. Our brains deserve more long-form content!
great essay! I will say I'm guilty of trying to get the perfect shot because I love photography, but travel influencers have also led me to some incredible places. I don't need to see the millionth photo of Paris or Bali, but people going to Uzbekistan or showing me nomadic tribes in Siberia? now that's interesting! I think there's still a way to be a more authentic travel influencer these days, long flowy dresses not required.
I think that's true! Travel influencers can be a very positive force when they (we!) find a way to create content that genuinely empowers and educates their audience :) I don't want to come across totally negative - I have personally created travel content I'm proud of and consider genuinely valuable. And there are many incredibly talented people in the industry sharing perspectives outside the mainstreama and creating positive change.
I love how you dig into the nuance of travelling and set the historical context of it prior to talking about the influencer nature. I do think part of travel culture now, at least for people like me (POCs) is an attempt to reclaim a world that was once forbidden to us. As a brown woman, travelling alone is a privilege none of my ancestors would have had so it's something I prioritise and enjoy (but try not to get sucked in to influencer destinations!)
I appreciate you taking the time to share your perspective Tejal, thank you! What you say is completely valid - women of colour (and other minorities) deserve to be represented in travel circles, online and offline. Your voice is needed and it's important.
I also love that you try not to get sucked into influencer destinations, as you put it. The beauty of travel is in genuine experiences, not stylised photography.
Love this well researched piece! I work with people with eating disorders and have to encourage reduced time on social media and active 'management' of the algorithm like you said. People with EDs are over 300% more likely to be shown diet and body checking content online which is pretty horrific. I write about these sorts of topics on my publication if you want to check it out :)
Thank you so much for the thoughtful comment Sophie! I've just had a look at your Substack, Off The Scale - I love your recent piece on electrolyte drinks.
And YES, the surging popularity of ED-adjacent content has me incredibly worried. Your work is so important.
Enjoyed how you zoomed out and back to ground us in the context of travel photographs, and then a second time in the data related to influencing. Your hard work and conscientiousness is getting these right — and citing your sources — is appreciated!
Thank you for the thoughtful comment Pinky, I so appreciate it - it honestly means the world to me that people are taking the time to read this looooong long essay! I wanted it to be both personal and informative, and I'm glad that came through for you.
Thank you for such an insightful and honest essay! I don’t think it’s easy for anyone to be so critical of their own actions and then tie that to a larger/wider narrative. The information and facts on the harm on girls and women, as well as the overall negative impact of social media was also very important. How do you feel about Substack as a social medium?
Thank you so much for the lovely comment, I've been exploring more of your Substack and am learning so much from you! As for Substack... I'm loving it. Our brains deserve more long-form content!
(That's not to say there's nothing wrong with Substack. But it's a very welcome break from scrolling.)
great essay! I will say I'm guilty of trying to get the perfect shot because I love photography, but travel influencers have also led me to some incredible places. I don't need to see the millionth photo of Paris or Bali, but people going to Uzbekistan or showing me nomadic tribes in Siberia? now that's interesting! I think there's still a way to be a more authentic travel influencer these days, long flowy dresses not required.
I think that's true! Travel influencers can be a very positive force when they (we!) find a way to create content that genuinely empowers and educates their audience :) I don't want to come across totally negative - I have personally created travel content I'm proud of and consider genuinely valuable. And there are many incredibly talented people in the industry sharing perspectives outside the mainstreama and creating positive change.
I love how you dig into the nuance of travelling and set the historical context of it prior to talking about the influencer nature. I do think part of travel culture now, at least for people like me (POCs) is an attempt to reclaim a world that was once forbidden to us. As a brown woman, travelling alone is a privilege none of my ancestors would have had so it's something I prioritise and enjoy (but try not to get sucked in to influencer destinations!)
I appreciate you taking the time to share your perspective Tejal, thank you! What you say is completely valid - women of colour (and other minorities) deserve to be represented in travel circles, online and offline. Your voice is needed and it's important.
I also love that you try not to get sucked into influencer destinations, as you put it. The beauty of travel is in genuine experiences, not stylised photography.
Happy travels :)