Scroll once on Instagram and you’ll hear it: ‘You are the problem.’ Common influencer advice endorses the notion that if you have an issue with someone and you’re not vocal about it, then apparently, it’s entirely on you. This bite-sized advice is everywhere online now. And while it sounds both empowering and honest, ideas like this might do more harm than help.
While it is easy to relate to or find rationality in opinions laid down by people on the internet, it is essential to understand that their circumstances can differ from yours. These circumstances can include the type of people they’re surrounded with, what region they belong to, and even class dynamics. When you’re dishing out advice on the internet that does work, or has worked for you, it is not a given that it will function for all of your audience. For instance, when in a state of distress, temporary isolation works for an individual; it might not work for everyone; some might require continued assistance.
It is human nature to seek relatability in what we consume —and to immediately absorb the information presented to us. When someone finds alignment with the beliefs being preached, they’re likely to actually act upon them. But before doing so, it’s important to remember that a face adorned with fancy make-up or a rich English accent cannot replace the integrity of a professional degree.
Mental health conversations on the internet have increasingly morphed into content. It often takes our notice how a trauma-talk video by an influencer includes a random ad snippet, a paid partnership, or even a brand deal. Somehow, a rant about childhood abandonment transitions into a discount code for a rice mask — because nothing says “healing” like brand synergy. During a single scroll session, we encounter dozens of such videos, and occasionally, a reaction video by a mental-health professional titled something like “stitch incoming” highlights what exactly is wrong with the piece of advice this under qualified influence just marketed. And while some might educate themselves, many could still be living under the illusion that their lives are about to be fixed after “shooting a DM for guidance” to their favourite influence.
Untrained, Unchecked, Unsafe The Influencer Advice Epidemic
It is also highly common for a “trauma dump” reel to engage more than the usual amount of a creator’s audience. Where his or her “get ready with me” and “vanity tour” videos would have views in the thousands, there will be one pinned on top with a large “1.1M views” tag in the corner, and guess what the title would be? “Get ready with me while I share my healing journey after abandoning a toxic friendship.” Go, girl, but are you sure everybody needs what worked for you?
Constant internet negativity about behaviours you should and shouldn’t stand for and places you should or shouldn’t immediately leave begins to blur your own personal preferences in life. You find yourself second-guessing your instincts, forced to believe what the stranger on your screen has to say is correct, and that you were naive all along. And while they might be correct, you never really know.
Mental health advice, if incorrect, can actively be harmful — especially when it reinforces toxic ideas. And sometimes the person on your screen might actually be victim-blaming you while being unsure himself.
The repeated, cliché practice of self-diagnosis on the internet has to be one of the greatest problems of the Instagram-advice culture. While it seems entertaining, constantly chanting “Oh, I can’t focus; I’m so ADHD” without ever going for a single professional check-up or seeking clinical help for a proper diagnosis is deeply problematic. Similar practices only lead people to assume that if they’re constantly washing their hands or have their glasses frame glued to the hem of their shirt to wipe it clean every second, they’re suffering from OCD.
The general stigma around mental health in Pakistan is another angle to consider. This only increases the probability of people using an influencer’s advice to fill the gap a professional cannot always reach. Because influencers are free to watch and somehow always relatable, and therapy is expensive as well as inaccessible — an individual usually resorts to what offers convenience. However, such an action only makes their influencer more dangerous.
It is also important to explore the difference between the services of an actual therapist and an influencer. Where a therapist is bound by ethical codes, an influencer could probably not care less even with an intent that is far from ill.
According to the American Psychological Association: “When obtaining informed consent to therapy as required in Standard 3.10, Informed Consent, psychologists inform clients as early as feasible in the therapeutic relationship about the nature and anticipated course of therapy, fees, involvement of third parties, and limits of confidentiality and provide sufficient opportunity for the client to ask questions and receive answers.”
Above is one of the ethical principles of psychologists. Let’s break down what it conveys:
- Informed consent is not optional — it’s mandatory. Which means that the client must fully understand what therapy entails before or early on in the process and the nature and anticipated course of therapy. The agreement focuses more on genuine understanding than merely signing a form.
- The agreement also outlines the involvement of third parties and the limits of confidentiality. Will any other professionals, supervisors, or family members be involved? What should be kept private and what should be reported?
- Most importantly, therapy is meant to be a two-way communication. It works effectively only if you ask questions and get clear, honest, study-based responses that are scientifically meant to work.
- A professional is bound to be clear and honest. As in, he/she is supposed to be ethical, transparent, and respectful of their client’s right to know exactly what they’re getting into. This makes sure that a therapist is NOT seen as an unquestionable figure.
Just these handful of clauses question the credibility of an untrained influencer casually offering guidance. Their advice — no matter how genuine — lacks structure and bears no professional responsibility. Psychological advice should secondly not be given by someone who cannot define or respect the boundaries discussed earlier in this piece. The most crucial part of therapy, again, has to be communication. And ironically, that is what seeking help from an Instagram reel, a caption, or a story lacks the most. The audience is not given sufficient context to evaluate what applies to them. Hence, turning advice into unmonitored influence, making it both irresponsible and dangerous.