Manjari Mishra: It’s crucial to be mindful of the individuals we choose to follow on social media
“I actively follow these profiles, closely observing their journeys and experiences. However, I am cautious not to blindly adopt their experiences or the methods they present.
Recently, Zerodha CEO Nithin Kamath shared that he suffered a mild stroke, and while he is recovering well, what caught everyone’s attention is the cautionary and concerning advice from doctors who are asking people to be careful about any medical advice given by random influencers on social media. Actor Manjari Mishra, who was seen in the Gujarati film “Fuleku”, Bollywood film “Rocket Gang”, and the short film “Main Tumhara”, agrees with it and says that people should be cautious.
She feels that while people are competing in creating content for social media, the platforms themselves are contesting against each other. She said, “In the past, content primarily consisted of lip-sync and dance videos, along with acting clips, however, the evolution of social media has given rise to videos covering looks, makeup, fashion, costumes, and even stand-up comedy. Post-COVID, there has been a notable increase in videos related to fitness and healthcare tips. That being said, it's crucial to be mindful of the individuals we choose to follow on social media.”
“For instance, if we follow someone producing healthcare videos, it's essential to determine whether they are certified professionals in that field or merely influencers sharing personal experiences. Awareness is key, and we must recognize that advice from a random influencer might not be suitable for everyone. When seeking motivation or inspiration, it's advisable to seek guidance from professionals, incorporating their suggestions into our own journey. I believe this is of utmost importance,” she added.
Manjari believes that these days it’s all about likes, views, and reach on social media. She added, “This demand extends beyond influencers. Even during casting, actors are often required to share their profiles, social media metrics, and reach. Thus, in today's era, social media plays a crucial role. Whether they are professionals like cricketers, doctors, engineers, or comedians, individuals posting on social media desire an audience to watch, like, and engage with their videos. Therefore, it's evident that the motivation behind creating videos these days is to garner likes and views.”
She stressed that the transformation videos certainly get more attention and follower counts, as they appeal more to the viewers. She added, “People are drawn to observing how others lead their lives, manage workouts, handle work, and achieve self-improvement through consistency. Such content has a strong attraction. Followers often believe that by emulating these individuals, they can transform their lives similarly. However, it's crucial to recognize that blindly following may not yield the same results for everyone.”
She added that what might have worked for a certain individual might not work for others, and thus there is no guarantee of success. She further said, “It's important to grasp that enjoying and being attracted to influencers' videos is one thing, but these represent their personal experiences. We should derive lessons and inspiration from their content, but the key is to tailor our actions according to our own health and needs. Only then can we expect positive outcomes.”
Manjari herself follows creators and influencers who create regular videos showcasing their experiences, as well as professionals such as certified doctors, dermatologists, makeup artists, or actors who are active on social media. “I actively follow these profiles, closely observing their journeys and experiences. However, I am cautious not to blindly adopt their experiences or the methods they present. I ensure that the knowledge I gain from them is applied according to my needs, and I adapt it to suit my purposes,” she said.
Asked if she feels the influencer thing has gone wrong, she said that those providing professional advice, whether in healthcare, fitness, or other fields, should adhere to certain norms and guidelines. She added, “They need to be aware that their audience on social media might blindly follow them without sufficient knowledge, and there is a possibility that followers may encounter difficulties after implementing their advice.”
“Therefore, it is essential for these professionals to consistently include disclaimers in their videos when addressing such topics. If they lack certification, it would be advisable for them to refrain from creating videos in these specific domains,” Manjari ended.
