Imagine someone you love being misrepresented, or not represented at all, in mainstream media. For many of our loved ones within marginalized communities, this happens every day. Using platforms like Instagram and YouTube, social influencers are taking charge of their own stories, and there is something journalists can learn from the way they tell them. Journalists are losing the humanistic aspect of storytelling. This is something that social influencers excel at. In addition to this, social influencers hold immense power over their followers.

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According to the Collective Bias Study, “60% consumers have been influenced by a social media post or a blog review… while shopping at a store.” (See Collective Bias) Since social influencers hold this much power over product purchases, they also have the power to break down biases about their own communities and identities. This has been proven over recent years, as people have been flocking to social media to find their niche and share personal stories both inside and outside their own communities. A prime example of this lies with individuals within the LGBT community, who have been using Instagram and YouTube to meet other people like themselves, share their stories, and break down misconceptions since the rise of social media.