The Mental Health of Digital Creators: Behind the Filters and Flashing Lights

It is so easy to get derailed with the immaculately constructed lives of digital creators and influencers every time we browse Instagram or TikTok. It seems like their lives are a continuous photoshoot- seamless, glamorous, and perpetually "on point", picture-perfect! But here's the harsh reality- behind all the super-filtered photos and videos that go viral on every corner of the internet, there is a mental health crisis far from anything we would describe as glamorous. It's high time we finally change the subject to discuss something that falls under the radar of many: mental health issues among digital creators, especially in India, whose influencer industry is booming more rapidly than a viral meme can spread.

Yes, influencers get to experience the "dream" life- having access to freebies, sponsorships, and even thrilling partnerships with top brands. But as influence expands, pressure intensifies. As and when the need for genuine content rises, so does the challenge of remaining true to themselves while at the same time being able to cash in on their fame.

A very recent research highlighted that 80% of Indian influencers care more about remaining true and authentic to their online followers.

But have you ever stopped to consider what happens when the pressure to get sponsorship deals or create the required revenue begins undermining the very idea of authenticity? As per the findings of the same research, approximately 75% of influencers feel extremely under pressure to make compromises on deals that they are not alright with and in doing so compromise their authenticity. Behind all the glitz, influencers usually work for 6-8 hours a day creating content, creating post strategies and keeping themselves updated about the new trends. This relentless grind leaves no space for anyone or anything else.

It shouldn't surprise you that 60% of influencers say that they experience depression or anxiety due to constant work pressure. They are always living in fear of becoming outdated or losing followers and finding themselves in a world where every post is judged, the emotional impact is real. Even as the Indian influencer space is witnessing an explosion in growth- a 25% growth expected from 2023-2028, the real difficulty of converting fame into a viable line of income is not far behind. Statistics indicate that a mere 30% of influencers can have a steady income. This makes it all the more imperative for influencers to diversify their lines of income, beyond merely content creation modes and adopting business acumen. The Dark Side of Digital Stardom: Burnout and Mental Strain  Let's be real- the "dream job" of being an influencer is not as picture-perfect as it seems to you. 

This side of the globe is not just about fan gifts, collaborations and endorsements.

There is always pressure to remain relevant.

Each day you have the constant compulsion of having to produce new, interesting content and this can be like going on a hamster wheel. In addition, creators are supposed to follow trends and create them- which is extremely draining