Should Social Media Influencers with a Big Following Be Held Morally Responsible for
the Content They Share?
Student Name
Student Number
Institutional Affiliation
Course Name and Code
Course Instructor
Assignment Due Date
, 1. Question
Should social media influencers with a big following be held morally responsible for the
content they share?
Answer: No.
2. Objections
Almost everyone thinks social media influencers should maintain immunity from their
content but multiple compelling arguments contradict this belief. Social influencers need to
accept responsibility for their content distribution since they possess extensive reach
capabilities through which they exert substantial influence. The social impact of influencers
goes past amusement because they influence public behaviour, purchasing choices, political
debates and shaping popular social conventions.
1. Influence and Power Come with Responsibility
Users who follow social media influencers often rely on their influence to form personal
choices including forming opinions, behaviour patterns and purchasing conduct. With this
high level of influence, they need to carry a moral obligation which requires them to maintain
content that does not mislead or harm their followers.
According to philosophers Jean-Jacques Rousseau and John Locke, the social contract theory
establishes that influential people need to provide benefits for collective welfare. The large
number of followers which influencers have, places them in a position of authority so they
must show responsibility in their created content and promotional materials.
2. The Spread of Misinformation and Harmful Content
Social media users quickly distribute misinformation between them but when influencers
spread unverified information that worsens this issue. Influencer content lacks editorial
the Content They Share?
Student Name
Student Number
Institutional Affiliation
Course Name and Code
Course Instructor
Assignment Due Date
, 1. Question
Should social media influencers with a big following be held morally responsible for the
content they share?
Answer: No.
2. Objections
Almost everyone thinks social media influencers should maintain immunity from their
content but multiple compelling arguments contradict this belief. Social influencers need to
accept responsibility for their content distribution since they possess extensive reach
capabilities through which they exert substantial influence. The social impact of influencers
goes past amusement because they influence public behaviour, purchasing choices, political
debates and shaping popular social conventions.
1. Influence and Power Come with Responsibility
Users who follow social media influencers often rely on their influence to form personal
choices including forming opinions, behaviour patterns and purchasing conduct. With this
high level of influence, they need to carry a moral obligation which requires them to maintain
content that does not mislead or harm their followers.
According to philosophers Jean-Jacques Rousseau and John Locke, the social contract theory
establishes that influential people need to provide benefits for collective welfare. The large
number of followers which influencers have, places them in a position of authority so they
must show responsibility in their created content and promotional materials.
2. The Spread of Misinformation and Harmful Content
Social media users quickly distribute misinformation between them but when influencers
spread unverified information that worsens this issue. Influencer content lacks editorial
