Media’s Impact on Society

In my country, morning television shows began to feature celebrity weddings as a major attraction, creating a significant cultural trend. These shows transformed weddings into grand spectacles, with elaborate stages adorned with extravagant decorations, luxurious lighting, and meticulously coordinated colour schemes that were not typically seen in mainstream cultural practices. Traditional rituals and customs were often embellished with lavish details, giving these weddings a cinematic quality. Designers provided opulent outfits for each event, which were flaunted with pride on national television, drawing viewers into the fantasy.

The celebrations would often span a week or more, with each day dedicated to specific pre-wedding and wedding functions—each more elaborate than the last. These events became immersive experiences that were visually captivating and culturally influential, as viewers saw their favourite celebrities enjoying dream-like weddings. The desire to replicate these fairy-tale weddings spread quickly, particularly among younger women, who were deeply inspired by the glamour on screen. This trend redefined wedding expectations, shifting ideals toward lavish, multi-day ceremonies, and influencing a generation’s aspirations around marriage celebrations.

While these morning shows also featured a range of other content—such as interviews, health advice, security tips, and the latest in makeup trends—their popularity was primarily driven by the coverage of celebrity weddings. These weddings were the main draw, setting them apart as captivating spectacles in a crowded media landscape.

An insider later disclosed that the enormous budgets for these celebrations weren’t footed by the celebrities themselves but were covered by the show’s producers and sponsors. This revelation underscored the significant role of sponsorship and financial backing in creating these dreamlike weddings, reinforcing the fact that they were beyond the reach of a typical family without such support. This reminder felt important, at least to me, as it highlighted the unrealistic nature of these portrayals. Despite the beauty and charm of these events, they were highly curated productions, and understanding this distinction helped put the extravagance into perspective, reminding viewers that these televised weddings were, at their core, a product of media and marketing rather than attainable models of real-life celebrations.

The Adverse Effects of Media Content

This phenomenon brings to mind the era when superhero movies captivated young audiences, especially boys, inspiring them to wear makeshift capes and sometimes mimic the stunts they saw on screen—behavior that, though rare, could lead to risky or even dangerous situations. Just as these films instilled a sense of adventure but sometimes blurred the line between fiction and reality, the televised celebrity weddings fostered dreams of grandeur that could feel, for some, like necessary standards to meet.

This parallel illustrates how media can shape perceptions and behaviours. Although media can inspire, educate, and uplift, the less frequent but notable adverse effects tend to resonate more intensely, sometimes setting unrealistic expectations that can lead to frustration or disappointment. In the case of celebrity weddings, the glamorous portrayals created a high bar, sparking a societal shift where some began to feel the pressure to emulate these televised ideals, underscoring the powerful, if sometimes unintended, impact media can have on cultural values and individual aspirations.

The Rise of Misleading Content on Social Media

This trend has certainly extended to social media, where a mix of informative and entertaining content dominates, though it’s often interwoven with less authentic, sometimes misleading, portrayals. Influencers play a central role here, frequently showcasing themselves in aspirational lifestyles: giving away pricey smartphones, purchasing luxury cars like Mercedes or BMWs, and living in high-end homes or travelling to exotic destinations. These posts project an image of effortless luxury that many viewers find enticing.

However, these giveaways and high-end purchases are typically backed by sponsors and partnerships, and the polished online personas mask the true effort and struggle that often go on behind the scenes. The glossy facade can obscure the hard work, planning, and financial deals that make such lifestyles possible, presenting viewers with an incomplete and sometimes unrealistic picture of success. This discrepancy between appearance and reality serves as a reminder of how social media can create inspirational yet potentially misleading standards, affecting the way people perceive success and fulfilment in their own lives.

The Impact on Younger Audiences

Younger audiences, particularly, are significantly influenced by this content, often striving to emulate influencers by partaking in activities that may be risky or inappropriate for their age and experience. Many young viewers are enticed to offer valuable possessions without parental consent or to seek quick, often unprincipled, results. This is especially concerning for children, who generally lack the maturity to discern the consequences of such actions, and for individuals grappling with self-esteem issues, who may be even more vulnerable to the allure of instant validation. While some may consume this content purely for entertainment, younger viewers, driven by a desire for instant recognition, can be inspired to imitate influencers at any cost, potentially jeopardising their well-being in the pursuit of fame.

The Misleading Glamour of Influencer Lifestyles

Influencers frequently share curated snapshots of lavish meals and luxurious experiences on social media, creating an aspirational image that is not always reflective of reality. It’s often unclear whether influencers actually paid for these extravagant meals, how many dishes they ordered, or if they were dining alone or with a group. Despite these ambiguities, viewers—particularly impressionable ones—may still idealise these experiences, yearning to replicate them and sometimes prioritising such desires over deeper, more meaningful pursuits like personal growth, education, or genuine relationships.

The path to success for many influencers has indeed involved significant hard work, trial and error, and resilience, with some even stepping away from traditional education to follow their passions. Their stories, while inspirational, can also send mixed messages, particularly to younger audiences, suggesting that academic achievements are less important than social media fame. While ambition and the drive to succeed are valuable traits, if individuals neglect education or pursue solely superficial goals, they may risk experiencing long-term dissatisfaction, missed opportunities, and a lack of personal fulfilment.

The Need for Authenticity and Responsibility

The current generation often views reality as less appealing when contrasted with the seemingly perfect lives showcased by influencers. The allure of curated luxury and effortless success can make ordinary life feel dull by comparison. However, if influencers were to highlight their own struggles and reveal the less glamorous aspects of their lives, they might risk losing viewer interest, as many are drawn to them for the escapism and inspiration they provide.

Nevertheless, influencers bear a responsibility to convey that life is not as easy as it appears online, and they should do so with honesty rather than superficial gestures. By encouraging their audiences to appreciate what they have and find satisfaction in gratitude, influencers can promote a healthier mindset over constant comparisons and far-fetched aspirations. Aiming high and pursuing dreams is commendable, but it should never come at the cost of integrity, empathy, or losing sight of what truly matters in life.

Our Role as Consumers

The responsibility to shift this narrative does not lie solely with influencers; as consumers, we play an equally important role. If we collectively choose to stop watching, sharing, and endorsing such content, influencers will be compelled to adapt to changing audience preferences. It’s essential for us all to be mindful of what we prioritise and recognise the difference between what truly matters and what is merely superficial.

Media, and particularly social media, often presents a filtered and exaggerated portrayal of reality, crafting an illusion that luxury and high-status lifestyles are easily attainable. In truth, achieving such milestones is rarely instantaneous; it involves considerable effort, persistence, and unseen challenges that are seldom part of the picture presented. By being discerning viewers, we can help foster a culture that values authenticity and encourages more meaningful pursuits over fleeting, curated glamour.

Prioritising Mental and Physical Well-being

Prioritise your physical and mental well-being, cherish the relationships and people around you, and practise gratitude for what you have. If you’re able to walk but don’t find joy in it, remember that many long for that very ability. Instead of focusing on what you lack or wishing for luxuries, channel your energy into working diligently towards your goals. Make it a priority to seek knowledge and authentic information, invest in things that genuinely matter, and aim for success that is both enduring and fulfilling. True satisfaction lies in appreciating your present, while building a future that aligns with your values and strengths.