A recent poll says 86% of kids say their dream job is to be a "Social Media Influencer". Have we lost our minds as a society?

Question

A recent poll says 86% of kids say their dream job is to be a "Social Media Influencer". Have we lost our minds as a society?

Telekinetic-Potato · Accepted Answer

Why the fuck would anyone want a real job right now? Would you rather get a teaching degree in 4 years and make the same amount of money as a waiter? Or maybe you'd rather be a police officer and step on people's necks for a living like we see on social media all the time now.

Maybe you could be a lawyer and make enough money to own two used cars and if you're really diligent, maybe send your kids to college.

The middle class is gone dude. Why is it so confusing to older people that kids just want to be able to go on vacation sometimes without having to not eat or worry about paying their credit card because their car breaks down?

To live like someone who was middle class in the 70's you'd have to be making 200k every year now and that's the top 10% of earners in this country which means our middle class is now a representation of the bottom 3-4% (in my estimation) of the top 10% of top earners in the country.

So yea, I can see why kids don't want to be treated like a number, disrespected their whole lives and living on the edge of financial ruin for the rest of their lives. I can totally see why they'd rather be happy and have friends for a living.

Levin · Accepted Answer

Where are the solid role models?

Work 9-5 for a shit pay. Can't even afford to live, buy your own home, children, etc. And since when were the police, doctors, etc role models? Look what they did during covid. They have abandoned their inner sense of right, going along with social pressure and bullying others who don't go along with their warped world views.

So children are doing what comes naturally to them. Of course they're spellbound by good looking people, who get lots of attention and money for doing very little. It's not their fault that you get 10£ million per year for kicking a bag of air around.

Sorry if this is excessively jaded...

Rosexøxø · Accepted Answer

I mean, if you really think about it.. can we all influence? 🤔

I mean sure we can all have an influence and not be followers. It could help young generations break “molds” BUT as long as they are not mirroring OTHER influencers.

I don’t see why influencers can’t be productive either…

I’ve seen some construction youtubers- they had families too. Some fishing you tubers.

Everyone go document their lives of making a living, and have an influence! Lol

Youtube will definitely be filled, but 🤷‍♀️ at least people will be more focused on themselves possibly… as long as they’re not obsessed over the camera.

meetkitty123 · Accepted Answer

Oh yes it's rather frightful my own children have mentioned this I don't shoot their dreams down ever even if I don't agree with their aspirations what I'll do is I'll put other ideas in their heads while they're talking about it I'll mention college I mentioned the importance of not only having something to say but knowing what the heck you're talking about so you need to be educated being online can be successful but that does not mean you quit school it does not mean you rely on it as your only option you should be able to have multiple talents and that begins with a solid education.

MzAsh · Answer

That’s a lot, but I understand why. People are making a lot of money being internet entrepreneurs these days. And opportunities and entryways are everywhere.

OlderAndWiser · Answer

WTF happened to kids wanting to be astronauts or nurses?

normalice · Answer

I would say the "job creators" have lost their minds. Such is the cost of a media that tried to glorify them as valuable members of a meaningful society by aggressively suggesting job creators are the ones who give us meaning. But it turned out all along they just wanted all the money, which they now have, and so have to deal with the pressure of being expected to hold up their end that they never agreed to - which they aren't doing. I think when kids see how meaningless their work options are and how little pay comes from it, set that next to some YouTuber that made a million dollars playing video games for an audience or whatever, and it's the 14% that would choose becoming another cog in the pointless machine that don't make a lot of sense. We've been told by example that work doesn't matter: what matters is that you have money. That is the lesson being taught by having a ruling class that doesn't seem to do anything. Of course people would learn it,

Aerissa_Jade · Answer

Doesn't this happen every generation? My dad says 75% of his class back in the 90's wanted to play video games and get paid to find bugs. Before the internet was a big thing of course and they actually paid testers.

He says it didn't last as long though, cause internet came out and companies switched to using paying customers to find bugs and release updates, rather than QA testing before release.

Lots of people failed at their dream job of getting paid to play games.

People should consider their 'dream' job to be a decent job at a decent company, even if ten minutes before your shift starts, your crying thinking damn I don't want to go to work but at least they pay good and got decent benefits... so suck it up and get it on.

Lliam · Answer

If that statistic is true (and I have no reason to think it's not), it truly is crazy.
I guess it's because kids are spoiled and don't want to work hard. They probably don't even buy the equipment they use for social media. It's probably given to them by their parents who house and feed them.

At the same time, there are few decent paying low skilled jobs anymore. It used to be that there were lots of jobs for high school grads. Men could own homes and support families on jobs that didn't require college degrees. Not anymore.

Anonymous · Answer

They wanted to be rock stars, sports stars, actors, etc.. before.

Kids are programed to want to seek what they think is fame, power, and fortune. Today they see that in Social media Influencers because like the other sorts of professions/hobbies they know not what they really are.

Just remember this is how we are programed to be successfully by trying to emulate other people who are most successful.

The problem is we live in a world of ever more cleverly hidden fiction.

For those of us still inexperienced with said world as the young are it is far too easily to be deceived in believing the most famboiant and visible are also the most successful and powerful.

Cubus · Answer

An interesting thing my professor recently told me:

Tiktok in Western countries (like USA) ads "trendy" things linked with lifestyle of influencers. This results in more and more western children wanting to be an influencer,

On the same platform in China, ads consist of things related to engineering, biophysics, medicare etc. In order to rise interest in this amoung young Chinese people that use Tiktok.

So Tiktok actually develops Western youth into influencers, and Chinese youth into scientists and doctors. Guess who would end up better.

TallAnon · Answer

People have always wanted to get rich without effort, this is just the new way people see to get to that point. It's the same as becoming a rock star, entrepreneur, etc.
Can't blame them either, as a human race, we should be aiming for a society where entertainment is the most important, because this means we superceded the need for more basic thing such as food, healthcare, etc. We should actively be trying to permanently overcome those difficulties and give ourselves the chance to just "enjoy life".

Fuentes · Answer

I can't say much about this it's kids, many kids said they wanna be astronauts or pilots or even the President or some famous actor in all era's growing up but nobody only grew up to really do that only a small handful.

So since it's children you can never kill their imagination & dreams. Right now In this current climate the new TV is youtube & fast streaming services. Got to let kids grow can't throw adulthood at them early. But the thing I will tell kids is these SJW'S are bad people, there is only two genders & that they will be continuing my family tree blood line.

Anonymous · Answer

No, a lot is made about people not wanting to work anymore. But we've just changed as a society. Automation and outsourced labor is giving Americans the ability to find incomes that require minimal if any labor. I now make as much money outside my 9 to 5 job that last yr. A decided to stop doing it altogether. No, not everyone can be social media influencer. But we've reached a point in society where hard work is neither valued or even respected. If you make a living getting your hands dirty you're actually ridiculed and derided. Where this all ends? That's anybody especially guess.

Likes2drive · Answer

The world needs ditch diggers too, unfortunately they don’t realize not everyone can actually do this for a living, someone has to have skills and still build things and solve problems or we will all suffer. I’m glad my kids don’t think like that, it’s unrealistic, they are all getting jobs in the medical field since that’s always needed and pays better

WindAtMyBack · Answer

They'll grow out of it. It's not really any different than kids seeing another kid on TV or movies and wanting to be an actor.

It's also a lot like people wanting to be professional gamers, musicians or artists. Go for it, but keep your day job.

midnightmoon05 · Answer

When growing up, I seen homeless people. Now that I am a grown up. I am seeing young kids (teens, young 20s, young 30s) homeless.

What can I say... parents didn't do their job because kids want to be art major and English major... etc... and change major and take on loads of tuition debts.

the new thing? "social media influencer"? SMH...

desperatelyhungry · Answer

No. They don’t do hard work. They make more money then most of us will ever see in our lives. They travel, have the finest things, and are their own bosses. I know why the real
Jobs are needed but the real
Jobs are also bullshit and I get why people would rather make money posting on ig

NaultD · Answer

Sounds like the American dream to me. It pays the bills. That's what it means to be in a capitalist free market economy. Why do you think every bill made in America has "in god we trust"? Every cent every dollar transaction is blessed and sanctioned by god.

Anonymous · Answer

As from a standpoint , it's cool. You can get money and fame rapidly. Don't have to work or study hard for years. No pressure sedentary Peter Pan lifestyle is the dream of millions. The problem is not people wanting to be social media stars.

The problem is we have screwed up other jobs and will do it more in the future. After some years most tech and attendent jobs will be taken over by AI. As science is progressing STEM jobs will become incredibly difficult and will take years of training. Doctors , scientists have to stay lifetime in school. Most people will not go to science research as it doesn't pay. You will still have blue collar jobs but those aren't role model jobs for progression of society.

Hispanic-Cool-Guy · Answer

They are kids. I wanted to be all types of BS when I was a kid too.

Once they grow up and mature dreaming to be a cowboy and princesses etc all goes away.

Some will become social media influencers which is nothing wrong with it as long they aren't promoting garbage or bad vaules.

Anonymous · Answer

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Anonymous · Answer

I mean, is it really all that surprising? They usually say they want to be whatever they think looks the coolest. Astronaut, movie star, firefighter, doctor, social media influencer seems like it's not too far a stretch from that pattern. I wanted to drive an ice cream truck when I was a kid lmao

OddBeMe · Answer

What was the dream job of teen girls in the 50s? Secretaries. Typists. Maybe the next Lana Turner. I think its an upgrade. Still bullshit, but at least its actual dreaming.

I still dream of writing the next great American Novel. Titled “Trump…Why?”

RolandCuthbert · Answer

It is funny. Folks don't know if being an influencer is fake job for lazy people or being a successful entrepreneur.

I was in a forum online where folks were claiming some porn star had the right to label other folks "lazy".

hahahmm · Answer

When I was younger i thought it was a good thing if western media broadcast ideas to 2nd world places. Not anymore. Our society has become a cancer.

Summeroflove · Answer

Hey if it pays the bills... As long as they aren't going over into that degeneracy stuff like Onlyfans shit. I mean... That is a cesspool and yeah that is pretty bad

MCheetah · Answer

Kids say stupid things. Let them grow up a bit more first. At least their parents are trying to make them become useless in society in such a manner.

purplepoppy · Answer

Absolutely, but at least it's not 86% wanting to get their tits out on onlyfans.  I wonder how many will throw away their education in pursuit of this dream job.

Whatthefluff · Answer

We all wanted to be pop stars or what have you when we were young, the definition is just a little different now :)

Th3ft · Answer

Wow! That is so depressing! What happens to the good old days when all kids wanted to be a fire fighter?

jshm2 · Answer

No. It means they don't want to end up a bitter fool like you. Which is a commendable thing.

Anonymous · Answer

I think we're used to feeling safe and used to having plenty of everything.  We're distracted by minutiae. Sooner or later we're going to have to wake up, and realise what is actually important.

goaded · Answer

In my day they wanted to be rock stars. Or footballers.

Bethany22 · Answer

No, it doesn't make me want to puke. It's nice to see that young people have opinions. As long as they don't quit their day jobs, they should go for it.

worldscolide · Answer

So sad. So we have an entire generation of children who are going to be talantless and worthless.

888theGreat · Answer

Because they are spoiled , fat and lazy and don't want real jobs

maximumpower · Answer

As usual with media "polls," too many variables to question their "findings."

Smashingdoozy · Answer

Everyone would rather be their own boss and work when they feel like it. Nothing new. Just a new way of doing it.

Anonymous · Answer

The word Influencer is one of the most over used and overrated words on the internet.

WhiteBoyChill · Answer

The last thing we need as a society is more influencers. They’re doing useless shit

spartan55 · Answer

When it comes to social media? Absolutely.

Anonymous · Answer

Yep, this is what liberal indoctrination rather than education in school results in

Sixgunsound · Answer

If that is accurate, yes, yes we have.

DJB72 · Answer

Yes. Society it nuts.

Fireguy17 · Answer

A job skill that will be short lived.

Dingsbums · Answer

We have lost our minds as a society

007kingifrit · Answer

kids always have stupid dreams

LimitedBenefits101 · Answer

Thats just sad

jamartheg · Answer

No we just want money

Jmmmfi4 · Answer

My dude right here

Jamie05rhs · Answer

Wow.

Twalli · Answer

It pays well

Calenderagressive · Answer

Yeah it's fun...

A recent poll says 86% of kids say their dream job is to be a "Social Media Influencer". Have we lost our minds as a society?

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A recent poll says 86% of kids say their dream job is to be a "Social Media Influencer". Have we lost our minds as a society?

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