47 Times Influencers Made Dumb Choices That Left The Whole World Laughing

A 2023 survey by Morning Consult revealed that 57% of Gen Z kids want to be influencers. Their older contemporaries also aspire for such a profession, accounting for 41%. 

As Morning Consult brands analyst Ellyn Briggs tells CNBC, the “no-frills, direct-to-cam, low-editing” type of content has been booming since the explosion of TikTok, making the barrier to entry extremely low.

However, seasoned creators would be the first to say that being a successful content creator isn’t a walk in the park. As a journalist, author, and podcaster, Taylor Lorenz tells CNBC in another interview that it’s similar to running your “own independent media company.” 

“Most startups fail, and I think most media startups fail, too,” she said.

Linktree’s 2022 Creator Report painted a picture of how challenging being an influencer can be. Findings revealed that only 12% of full-time content creators earn more than $50,000 annually. That pales in comparison to the 46% who make under $1,000 in a year. 

As for part-time creators, a meager three percent make over $50,000 annually. Meanwhile, 68% don’t make $1,000.

Audiences may only see the superficial side of many influencers. What they don’t sense is the stress that happens behind the scenes. For Hannah Williams of the TikTok account Salary Transparent Street, it’s a daily grind. 

“It’s just constant, Monday through Sunday,” she said in the same CNBC interview, adding, “the internet’s on, so you’re on as well.”

Full-time creator Caroline Lasher shared a similar sentiment, noting the struggle of being your own photographer, videographer, and editor. Nights out involve having a tripod on hand to see if there are Instagram-worthy spots in town. 

Lasher, who is in her early 20s, says she has burned out from her 12-hour days, where her only breaks were to grab a meal. Yet, she powers through, while also admitting that being inactive may “hurt” her. 

We reached out to a few experts who gave their insights on how social media altered the way people chase clout. It has been common knowledge that likes and views incentivize people to engage in more extreme stunts in order to go viral. But as Alex Direct digital marketing specialist Josh Doherty tells Bored Panda, the most astounding factor is the speed at which an outrageous antic can spread worldwide. 

“One risky video can spread worldwide in hours, which makes the incentive to take that risk stronger than ever. That’s why you now see things like traffic pranks or fire challenges, where the danger itself becomes the hook for attention,” he said.

Ellis Digital social media manager Caitlin Jardine offered a similar perspective, but she added another key component: algorithms. As she explained, TikTok, in particular, is designed to be addictive and offers instant gratification through “endless personalized content.” 

She added that TikTok rewards posts that provoke strong emotions, whether through shock value, empathy, or outrage, in addition to the multitude of viral trends. Jardine says this is one of the reasons why many creators “opt for sensationalism.”

Laura Riley, Clinical Director of Rolling Hills Recovery Center, offered insights based on her experiences as a mental and behavioral health volunteer for over two decades. As she noted, clout chasing before social media was more fleeting, unlike in today’s digital world, where engagements from audiences deliver dopamine hits. 

“That cycle makes clout chasing more intense now than before, because once the brain ties in those metrics to a sense of self-worth, people feel compelled to escalate their efforts just to get the same rush,” she explained.

Likewise, New Leaf Detox psychiatrist Dr. Sanjai Thankachen shared his insights as a mental health and behavioral expert. He described clout chasing as a “complex psychological condition” wherein the individual requires affirmation and recognition. 

In turn, social media plays its part in satisfying the psychological need for acknowledgement and appreciation through instant interactive returns in the form of engagements. 

“Such attention-seeking behavior may be the result of social media-induced pressures to conform to the trend of a hyper-competitive social media global village, where everyone strives, not to, but beyond their perceived best,” Dr. Thankachen explained.

Doherty says such behaviors can only intensify, unless the powers that be (parents, educators, and the platforms themselves) can come up with more explicit guidance and stronger boundaries around what’s acceptable online. 

Marygrove Awnings' Chief Marketing Officer, Josh Eberly, shared a similar sentiment, stating that social media platforms must be quick in removing harmful content to limit the spread of reckless challenges and pranks.

Eberly also emphasized the importance of having ethical role models who can demonstrate that one can build influence without compromising their personal safety or that of others. 

“By combining stricter enforcement with more positive examples, the cycle of clout chasing can be slowed before it drives content into even more harmful territory,” he said.