There’s nothing more exhausting than trying to live a typical life while watching someone your age get paid to unbox luxury skincare they received for free. If you haven’t felt this way, congratulations. You’ve achieved a mindset I genuinely wish I had. 

The Glow House, a TikTok content house based in L.A. and managed by Tiddle, an L.A.-based talent management agency created by Gianna Harner, presents damaging images and unrealistic expectations to young women. While the intentions of the content house remain positive, with a genuine intention to promote a safe environment for the girls, the outcomes of the lip-syncing videos and free product hauls tell a different story. Instead of creating a comfortable environment for teenagers like me, it contributes to a growing cycle of insecurity among the younger generation, especially young teenagers growing up immersed in social media. This isn’t to bash the wonderful young women who are trying to promote positivity through their videos, but to raise awareness about the opposite message being interpreted. 

Social media is often criticized for promoting unattainable beauty standards but what is less discussed is how it normalizes lifestyle expectations that are if not more damaging. Social media often is known as a highlight reel. We only view what others want us to see. As viewers, we do not see the highs and lows of their days; Only are we then exposed to the seemingly picture perfect lives of others.

Influencers, particularly on TikTok, have built careers on content consisting of “Get Ready with Me” videos, PR hauls (a collection of free products or gifts sent to influencers by brands) and vlogs of their daily routines. These videos are edited to feel casual and relatable. But these videos become far from relatable from the 72-dollar Tatcha face cream shown in their morning routine and expensive Aritzia sweatsets. 

For teenagers around the world, balancing school and jobs, the content shoved in our face isn’t aspirational; it’s discouraging. Influencers have curated a romanticized lifestyle that teenagers are taught to believe is realistic and attainable. The number of times I have had to tell myself that owning a certain amount of name brands isn’t normal; That going shopping or swiping my card every day isn’t healthy. Like many others, I craved the lifestyle that these girls had. I would compare myself so critically to teenagers who seemingly had it so easy. No minimum wage job or financial stress, just packages and sponsorships. 

This is not to say that influencers are evil. Consequently, there are multiple influencers that I have been watching for years that I adore. Halle Sandberg on TikTok has always been a comfort creator of mine, along with MissKatie on YouTube. But what makes these influencers I adore is their honesty. Halle Sandberg has spoken about how she has worked ever since she was 16, paying for almost everything she owns. MissKatie is a college student at the University of Colorado Boulder, where she is upfront about the highs and lows of her life. Never have I caught myself comparing my life to theirs and that is because of their transparency. 

This is exactly what we need on social media: Transparency. 

The Glow House, while not all bad, has created a podcast where they interview each other and guest speakers about topics relevant to girls, such as mental health, the realities behind the cameras and overall honesty about what they post on social media. 

The best way to address the feelings that many girls experience, stemming from the unrealistic realities portrayed by influencers, is for those influencers to be honest and transparent with their audiences. Influencers have the opportunity to shift the narrative by being more open about what is taking place behind the cameras. When creators open up, they create a space that lets their audience feel seen and that they are not alone. 

We as viewers deserve authenticity, vulnerability and content that doesn’t leave us feeling like we’re not enough. At the end of the day, self-worth should not be measured by PR packages and name brands, it comes from knowing who we are and knowing that we are enough.