Moral Obligations of a Content Creator

Different news outlets are currently broad coasting the recent outrage caused by the publishing of a video, uploaded by a famous YouTube creator, that displayed the body of a man who died by suicide. The shock that ensued from this video has created a discussion on how little censoring there is on different platforms and the effects this lack of ethical ownership means for young viewers. This uprising pushes forward into our collective consciousness the role that social media content creators play in our society.

Content creators aspire for views; more views means a larger fan base, more money, more opportunities to advance their career. However, what happens when the creators themselves fail to acknowledge that they have a moral obligation to their viewers? It is seen that flocks of young fans will buy merchandise, attend meet ups, create fan pages for their favorite content creators. These young fans have set up these influencers as role models and idols, romanticizing the fact that someone so tangibly like them can achieve fame and happiness.

The platforms that host these creators also escape any sort of moral obligation, as their aims align with that of the creators: to make money. Thus, when the aims of those creating content and those hosting the content are not aligned with the needs of the young generation, who is there to look out for them? The friendly appeal of YouTube or Instagram cannot safeguard the interests of a child, and the allure in participating with their brand grows stronger everyday.

What would it look like to have social media platforms aligned with the well being of a population, especially the younger generation? Would it be possible to have content creators who aspire to positively enrich the lives of their target communities rather than advance solely their personal interests? These questions might only be beginning in their answers but seem so vital to the physical, intellectual, and spiritual safety of this new age of people.

 

 

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