A few weeks ago, my 14-year-old cousin declared that she wanted to quit school and become a “full-time content creator.” No, she didn’t want to sing, dance, or even teach something useful. She wanted to post “aesthetic reels” of her morning routine—face cream, fake yawns, and all. I laughed. My aunt did not.
That conversation stuck with me. Not because of what she said, but because of what it represents: the slow but certain shift in influence. Once upon a time, politicians were the ones shaping young minds. Today? It’s the guy with 10 lakh followers telling you to hustle harder, detox daily, and “manifest your dream life.”
So here’s the controversial question: Are Indian influencers more dangerous than politicians?
Let’s break it down.
The Face of Modern Power
Politicians still hold the reins of power—laws, policies, budgets. But influencers? They hold attention, and in today’s world, that might be even more potent.
While a politician might spend months crafting a policy speech, an influencer can spark a movement with a 15-second reel. That’s not hyperbole. From beauty standards to political opinions, health fads to gender roles—so much of what young India believes today is shaped by what shows up on their Instagram feed.
And the worst part? There’s no filter (ironic, considering how many filters they use).
Who's Holding Them Accountable?
If a politician makes a false claim, there’s at least a chance the media will grill them, the opposition will jump in, and a debate will follow.
But when an influencer peddles misinformation—say, that drinking celery juice cures cancer—it gets 2 million views, 400,000 likes, and maybe a few “this is not medical advice” disclaimers in fine print. That’s it. No fact-check, no takedown, no accountability.
When your average teenager believes it’s better to buy protein powder from a guy named @muscleguru than consult a certified dietitian, that’s a problem.
Selling Lifestyles, Not Just Products
Politicians sell promises. Influencers sell dreams. But here’s the trick: most of those dreams are edited, filtered, curated illusions. Fancy brunches are sponsored. Emotional rants are scripted. Even “random” couple videos are choreographed to viral perfection.
This illusion of a perfect life breeds quiet misery. You scroll through their glamorous feeds and wonder, “Why isn’t my life like that?” You don’t realize they’re playing a game—and you’re the one getting played.
The Politics of Influence
Here’s where it gets murky. More and more influencers are now dipping their toes into political waters. Some subtly hint at their allegiances. Others blatantly campaign, using aesthetics and relatability to sell ideologies.
The difference? Politicians operate in a realm of expected bias. Influencers are trusted as “just like us.” So when they nudge you toward a particular party, cause, or belief, it feels organic—even when it’s paid.
This is influence without responsibility. Power without scrutiny.
Let’s Not Romanticize Politicians Either
Before we go too far, let’s get one thing straight: politicians aren’t saints. Far from it. We’ve had decades of corruption, communal tensions, and broken promises. The problem isn’t that influencers are replacing politicians. The problem is we’re letting them do it without a rulebook.
At least politicians are voted in and out. Influencers? They’re voted by likes and follows—tools far easier to manipulate.
So, What’s the Solution?
We don’t need to cancel influencers or crown politicians. We need balance. Perspective. Critical thinking.
- Parents and educators must teach media literacy as urgently as math.
- Platforms must enforce stricter guidelines—especially for health, finance, and political content.
- Followers (yes, that’s us) need to stop idolizing and start questioning.
Just because someone looks good with a ring light doesn’t mean they should shape your worldview.
I still follow influencers. I still laugh at their reels, bookmark recipes, and occasionally buy something they recommend. But I do it with my eyes open.
The real danger isn’t in the influencer or the politician. It’s in blind faith.
Today’s power isn’t just about who controls the government—it’s about who controls the algorithm. And right now, that war is being won not in Parliament, but on your phone.
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