The cross : How should parents inform their children about what influencers are?
Thomas Rohmer: First of all, they have to open their eyes: these influencers are the new muses. Many adults underestimate him, both because each generation tends to look mockingly at the idols of their juniors, but also because the world of influence is a very fluid and difficult to pin down ecosystem. . However, these influencers are as essential today as American actors were at the time of their grandparents or models and athletes at the age of their parents. They are the ones the world is watching, who give their opinion on everything.
From there, you would have to agree to take an interest in what they say, take the time to sit down with your child and watch the videos he likes with him. It is an absolute necessity in order to reduce the gap that exists between what the parents perceive and what the children actually experience. Our survey published at the beginning of the year is instructive. One figure alone sums up the challenge: 9% of 7-10 year olds go on social networks according to parents, while children say they are 28% to do so! This means that adults, who increasingly equip their children with digital devices, then lose interest in what they do with them. This ultimately leads them to underestimate the risks.
How to help them form a critical mind?
T. R. : Being a parent in the digital age means making the effort to argue to defend the values that are dear to us and to do so without prejudice. Basically, it’s quite simple: just do as the parents of the past, who watched television with their children and discussed it with them. You can watch a video and then start the discussion: “OK, you like this influencer who films herself from her swimming pool in Dubai and offers you, by the way, to buy a discount beauty box, but what does that mean? Does she entertain or trade? » There are plenty of possible discussions, which are also good times with your child or teenager.
With influencer Norman Thavaud currently the target of six fan complaints, what do you think are the biggest dangers for children?
T. R. : There are two very distinct levels. Some influencers are in a mercantile approach and assume it. Parents must therefore accompany their children, and decipher these videos which are, in fact, disguised advertisements.
Then, it may happen that some influencers redirect their fans – without taking into account that there are children among them – to matchmaking sites that are clearly not suitable for young children. This aspect can be problematic. Indeed, studies show that the success of influencers is due to their proximity to the public. Everyone can tell themselves that in a few clicks they can chat with them. Where the actor or the singer remained unreachable, the influencer is close. Some may abuse it.
There can be, in the most serious cases, a very unhealthy porosity between the sphere of influence and that of paid sex. This case is that, for example, of an influencer who does not manage to emerge, but has nevertheless built up a significant audience. From there, he may be tempted to sell sexualized content of himself to his community to make money. Borders are then blurred in the minds of young people. Some are tempted to do the same and adopt risky behavior, going so far as to switch to a form of online prostitution.
But here again, few young people fall into the trap. On the other hand, those who put themselves in danger are never those who feel good about themselves and are surrounded by their parents. It’s all in education. Admittedly, the state must better control access to certain sites, but parents must also act as responsible adults and educate their children in digital technology.