To gain a better understanding of other people's views on mental health and opinion on social media we decided to reach out to the people who need it most. Social media influencers. We reached out to those who we both like watching and support. The influencer in this interview is 18 year old Larly, she has over 500K on TikToc and over 81K on instagram. She mostly makes posts about what she wears, and just day to day living. She is known for her fun quirky style and she often talks about mental health and why it is important.
1.How do you handle online trolling and hate?
I reply to some messages to gauge their reaction, and if I feel I can educate someone being ignorant I might keep the conversation going, but if it's just mindless trolling and hate I will block them.
2.Is there much support from the social media platforms in regards to online trolling and hate?
Other than the option to filter certain words, blocking people, or straight up turning off all the comments, there is literally no support from the platform. But then again I can't really think of a system that would work better to prevent people from being nasty.
3.Do you ever let the hate stop you from posting things as you're worried it will cause more hate? I
’m very hesitant to post political things that i believe, because there will always be someone who disagrees with you and takes things really personally. I also massively lose motivation to create content when I’ve received hateful comments/messages, it just gets really tiring and I lose my mojo.
4.Do you ever feel like your life would be easier if you hadn’t gained such a major following?
No not at all, I’ve met wonderful people and been given the most incredible opportunity to start up my own business. I get to create things I love and have people who actually want to buy it, which I may not have if I had never gained a following.
5.Do you feel pressured to keep up an image, what i mean by this is, do you ever wish you could change your style of content/clothing or makeup but are worried you can’t because that is what you are known for?
Occasionally. People will always have an opinion on what i wear and how i look, but the people who truly support me don’t really care what i look like or wear, so i try not to let it bother me too much. I like to express myself at the end of the day.
6.how has becoming a social media persona changed your life?
I've met my absolute best friends, and I feel like I have opened so many doors to do things in life I enjoy, rather than what I would need to do to get by.
7.what are the positives of having such a large platform and following?
Having a place to be who I am and express myself, and meet people who are like me.
8.how did you gain such a following?
I literally have no idea, i change my content up all the time, so i’d guess it appeals to different people.
9.do you enjoy what you do on social media?
Yeah, absolutely. I feel no pressure to stay and do this forever, I only do it because I enjoy it. If, someday it wasn't fun anymore, I’d be happy to walk away knowing I had fun.
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