This Infographic is titled The Cost of Content and it is meant to demonstrate a major problem in the current day when it comes to younger peoples’ relationship with social media, and the motive of corporations to not only continue to profit off of them through ads, but to send this generation through a pipeline to become influencers in order to hook the next generation. I’ve dubbed this term, “The Influencer Life-Cycle”, and I believe it is an incredibly effective strategy that major platforms are actively incentivized to implement in order to secure not only a future audience, but a future content stream. This design was meant to invoke a cold steely appearance which I believe is emblematic of a world more controlled by phones and technology and less by real human connection, and it’s meant to signify the emotions of these kids being trapped on their phones more than them just choosing to go on them on their own. I tried to implement some pops of color through cartoons but to overall keep the imagery very cool-toned as I feel that best represents the problem of technology.

Below is a list of sources utilized in the creation of this Infographic.

Bozzola, E., Spina, G., Agostiniani, R., Barni, S., Russo, R., Scarpato, E., Di Mauro, A., Di Stefano, A. V., Caruso, C., Corsello, G., & Staiano, A. (2022, August 12). The use of social media in children and adolescents: Scoping review on the potential risks. International journal of environmental research and public health. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9407706/

Jennings, R. (2022, August 31). So your kid wants to be an influencer. Vox. https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2022/8/31/23328677/kid-influencer-ryans-world-ellie-zeiler

Malinsky, G. (2024, September 14). 57% of Gen Zers want to be influencers-but “it’s constant, Monday through Sunday,” says creator. CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2024/09/14/more-than-half-of-gen-z-want-to-be-influencers-but-its-constant.html

Mayer, B. A. (2023, October 10). So, your kid wants to be an influencer? before you roll your eyes-read this. Parents. https://www.parents.com/gen-z-wants-to-be-social-media-influencers-8349212

Mcleanhospital. (2024, March 29). Here’s how social media affects your mental health | mclean hospital. McleanHospital. https://www.mcleanhospital.org/essential/it-or-not-social-medias-affecting-your-mental-health

Smith, A. (2017, January 12). Record shares of Americans now own smartphones, have Home Broadband. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2017/01/12/evolution-of-technology/

U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory. (n.d.). Social Media and Youth Mental Health. https://www.hhs.gov. https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/sg-youth-mental-health-social-media-advisory.pdfVogels, E. A. (2023, April 24). Teens and social media: Key findings from Pew Research Center Surveys. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/04/24/teens-and-social-media-key-findings-from-pew-research-center-surveys/