Beware Dr Hustle – on social media influencers

Source: This post is created based on the article “beware dr hustle”, published in Times of India on 20^th April 2023.

Syllabus Topic – GS Paper 2 – Government policies for various sectors

Context: Recently, a viral video on a chocolate drink created a controversy

India’s influencer economy – the business of using social media as a marketing and advisory tool – is expected to host 100 million influencers by end-2023.

Advertising Standards Council of India finds that 79% of respondents trust social media influencers.

Therefore, implications of influencer’s videos on health are huge.

What are the implications of social media influencer’s videos on health?

The influencers, who are ‘doctors without degrees’, can be harmful for the health of the people. Some of the harmful effects can be reversible, but some can be irreversible such as prescribing anabolic steroid, suggesting pills for high blood sugar and even cancer.

Similarly, if a person is suffering from mental health problems, he can go online and see the videos suggesting deep breathing, which can be a short-term treatment. However, the root of the problem of that person might go undiagnosed and untreated.

Therefore, there should be light regulations for influencers. The government’s list of dos and don’ts as well as a requirement that qualifications be displayed is a good idea.