In 25 years, the future social media influencer could have a hunched posture, dry skin, and sore-looking, puffy eyes due to increased LED light and screen exposure, according to a newly-generated image.
Mega Instagram and TikTok influencers are raking in thousands each month from sharing their lives, interests, and even their relationships online.
But there’s a dark side to social media usage, with some research finding that apps can trigger feelings of inadequacy, dissatisfaction, and isolation, whilst also disrupting sleep and worsening other problems like depression and stress.
Anyone who is hoping to live the influencer lifestyle is being warned after an illustration of what they may look like in 25 years has been revealed.
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The woman, christened as ‘Ava’, has been released to warn people of what will happen to people if they don’t change their phone-usage habits.
Backed by medical research, the image of a woman shows her sporting ‘text neck’ or ‘tech neck’ syndrome.
Tech neck has previously been outlined in the journal Interdisciplinary Neurosurgery, which notes that people who use smartphones for a long period of time often have cervical spine ‘in a position of 15 to 60 degrees of flexion.’
It’s a modern epidemic that can cause long-term damage and neck pain,
According to a BBC report, some influencers are working up to 90 hours a week, with many hunching over iPhones, iPads, and laptops to create and edit their content.
Ava is also sporting patchy, red, and itchy skin.
The creators say this has been caused by daily cosmetic application and ‘typical’ beauty influencer habits, which include swapping around skincare products and wearing heavy makeup on a daily basis.
It’s also claimed that long–term exposure to LED lighting will speed up the ageing process.
Research, published in the journal Aging and Mechanisms of Disease, found that spending too much time in artificial light can impact overall health.
Moreover, the 2019 publication actually made a case for daily blue-light exposure shortening lifespan and causing brain neurodegeneration, too.
Ava, the so-called ‘influencer of the future’ also has thin hair due to years of heavy hair extensions and fillers to enhance her face and lips.
This aesthetic decision has been to show how ‘years of algorithm-chasing, beauty standard pressures, and non-stop content creation can take a visible toll’ on our bodies, as per the experts.
She also has dark eye circles, derived from computer vision syndrome (CVS), also known as digital eye strain.
This group of eye-and-vision-related issues results from prolonged technology use and can cause dry eyes, headaches, and puffy under-eyes.
Ava’s casino.org creators have called the terrifying image more than just a ‘concept’, she’s ‘today’s warning’.
“The takeaway is simple: balance the ambition, set boundaries around your work, and remember that health and well-being will always outlast trends,” the experts added.
Social media users have been having their say, with one Instagram viewer typing: “Oh, well that’s refreshing.”
“I can't think of a sadder job title than 'Influencer’”, someone else remarked.
A third wrote: “Oh well that made me sit up straight!”
Topics: Health, Social Media, Science, Women's Health, UK News, Instagram, TikTok
Ella Scott