Senior Research Paper
The Ethics of Influencer Culture: Authenticity, Advertising, and Consumer Trust in the Social Media Age A graphic from The Washington Post . Social media has transformed the way audiences consume entertainment, interact with public figures, and make purchasing decisions. Platforms such as TikTok , Instagram , and YouTube have allowed influencers to become some of the most powerful voices in modern advertising and communication. Unlike traditional celebrities, influencers often build their audiences through relatability, accessibility, and the appearance of authenticity, which creates stronger personal connections with followers. As influencer marketing has grown into a multi-billion-dollar industry, brands increasingly rely on creators to promote products in ways that blend seamlessly into everyday content. However, this evolution in advertising has also introduced major ethical concerns regarding transparency, consumer trust, and manipulation. Many influencers promote products ...
