Recently, I was requested to be the chief guest at a function where an Edtech Company was launching its skilling courses. The request also included a tête-à-tête with a big-time social media influencer with millions of followers. Knowing and learning about the influencer, I politely turned down the request.
It is no secret that much of the youth is hooked on to video content. It also spawned social media influencers who use every means to build up a loyal follower base. However, the monetization of such audience is where the darker side begins. They sell betting apps, recommend stocks, provide gambling suggestions. Now, encouraged and motivated with the money on offer, they are now recommending skilling and education courses and counsellors.
There is nothing wrong in making recommendations or even covering and even some of these courses. However, the lack of proper disclosure that they have been paid to cover them makes it an unethical act. Their loyal fan base believe that the recommendation is given for their benefit, which is a lie. These influencers do not understand the intricacies nor have the resources to dive deeper before making such a recommendation that may endanger careers and lives of the students.
SEBI has taken the first step in going after such influencers. I just hope even the ministry of education looks at this in seriousness and clamps down on social media influencers hawking Education courses without proper disclosures..What has been an untethical act must also be made into an illegal act. When self-discipline and ethics donot work, law must take over. To protect India’s youth.
Leave a Reply