Written by: Kate Matthews
How many social media platforms are you on? Maybe you’re on Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, Twitter or TikTok - or all five!
How many hours a day do you spend on each social media platform?
What if you compared your usage now to three months ago?
Chances are, you’ve spent significantly more time on Facebook and Instagram than you did in January. Whether it’s to look for updates on your state’s safety requirements, or to watch the latest quarantine cat video on YouTube (with ads from brands promoting public health and safety, of course), consumers are scrolling through socials at a higher rate because of COVID-19. (For more information, check out this link: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1106766/media-consumption-growth-coronavirus-worldwide-by-country/)
And celebrities and influencers on these platforms are taking advantage of the increased time you are spending on there. So, how are these influencers shaping the narrative on COVID-19?
A few talk show hosts are providing comedic relief and an uplifting message to audiences through relatable content. Jimmy Fallon, the host of late night talk show The Tonight Show, has been collaborating with various celebrities (and his adorable family) to produce content for YouTube. A few notable videos include an interview with John Legend, a coronavirus-inspired song from Bon Jovi, and an original quarantine song from Adam Sandler. Ellen Degeneres, the host of The Ellen Degeneres Show, has been posting funny content on Instagram. She’s also posted more serious videos reminding fans of the importance of social distancing and staying safe in public. The majority of her content is meant to give audiences a distraction from the sadness and craziness of the world. Her videos chronicle her struggles with a 4,000 piece puzzle, conversations with notable celebrities, and a tribute to essential workers.
Other influencers are setting the best example they can by posting from home. Celebrities like Ariana Grande (@arianagrande), Justin Bieber (@justinbieber) and Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) are posting photos of family and pets and filming video challenges sparked by COVID-19, such as the #SafeHands challenge and the #Allin challenge.
No matter the platform, celebrities and influencers are trying their best to maintain a positive approach to the global pandemic in order to keep audiences feeling calm and safe. They are shaping the narrative by posting uplifting and comedic photos and videos that help fans take their minds off of COVID-19, even if it’s only for a few minutes. As consumers, these influencers inspire us to remain calm and informed about COVID-19. The content we see reminds us to focus on the good things in life and to be joyfully expectant of the day the world gets back to “normal.”
Image source: (I took a screenshot of a video, so here’s the video link) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEQl6Pt-654&list=PLykzf464sU98lwxyHHBqnqx-r0xtOMLjt&index=93
Author: Kate Matthews