880,221 followers sounds cool, but here’s the dark side behind it.

This will explain why most (not all) of the time I do not recommend youngsters to follow the ‘influencer life’. Also, I hate that word.

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The Dark Side of Social Media

1. Social media isn’t as it seems.

It’s designed to capture your attention.

If you’re not paying for it, you are the product. Social media has a subconscious influence on your daily decisions. Today, you see an Ad for the newest pair of On Running shoes, but you don’t realise that seeing that Ad repeatedly is what influences your purchase in 4 weeks.

This is actually illustrated in the movie ‘Focus’ in a scene where a man is repeatedly shown a number all day - at the end of the day, a GIANT bet is placed on that man selecting the same number, but it’s all secretly planned to win a huge bet. Click here to watch the scene if you're confused.

Basically, the more often you’re exposed to an idea, a number, or a brand, the more inclined you are to select that idea, number or brand later on in life.

Don’t believe me?

Tell me this - who had their first cup of matcha in the last 3 months?
Who tried the Dubai Chocolate Pistachio in a dessert this year for the first time?
Who bought rosemary oil for hair loss?
Who is wearing a Whoop while reading this?

Yes, you made those decisions by yourself, but were you not bombarded with ads, videos, and exposure to these things on social media? They shaped your decision, and there’s nothing you can do about it.

Think about it.

As you scroll, every piece of content nudges you to spend money.

Every food blogger has a restaurant to recommend.
Every tech influencer has a gadget to push.
Even in health, there’s always a new cream or supplement that promises miracles.

It’s a continuous cycle of finding a common problem and pushing a “solution.”
​Cheap, fast, easy - because that's what we want.

Always advertised by someone who claims it worked perfectly for them. Social media has just become a glorified ad reel, video after video, exploiting human psychology.

This is my conclusion from years of working with brands, reading their "collab proposals" and seeing the behind-the-scenes of content.

2. Social media has destroyed privacy.

Weddings. Pregnancy. Childbirth. Gender reveals. Is anything private anymore?

There’s a new trend people are using to hard launch their influencer careers - weddings.

A wedding is intimate, or at least it used to be.
As a creator, the more intimate the event, the more likely it is to garner views.

Weddings. Pregnancy. Childbirth. Gender reveals. Guaranteed to get views.

Now, don’t get me wrong, we all like to share things online, me included. But I firmly believe there should be a fine line between what is personal and what is public. This new trend of showcasing every detail of your life for the world to see is not normal, and I refuse to be a part of it.

As a Muslim, particularly, it’s in your best interest to protect that which is intimate and meaningful to you - spouse, kids, family, etc. Yes, we read our protection duas, but we also ‘tie our camel’.

As a content creator, you trade an element of privacy for this life - I accept that as a necessary evil. People will recognise your face, some think they know you because they watched a few videos, and at times it can become problematic - Alhamdulillah for my audience though, I’ve never had a negative interaction - you guys are the best.

The point is, privacy is meant to be private. Not public.
The influencer age is changing that, and I worry for the youth who are influenced by this. That's also why I'm writing this.

3. The NEED for Social Media

For businesses (and scholars!), social media is the marketplace of 2025.
If you’re not there, you’re invisible.

Most people who need advice or guidance are living on these platforms. So even if you dislike it, you have to engage. For businesses, it’s non-negotiable. No social media? Good luck trying to grow.

This is something I’ve noticed. I have friends who are elite surgeons, have families, children, and they’re social media free (no accounts whatsoever). Unfortunately, because of marketing, they are struggling to find work because it’s trendy to have a platform online to attract clients. Now they're contacting me, worried about losing privacy, Riya and asking where to start.

Scholars are even more against social media, but for the sake of da’wa (preaching Islam), they show up to benefit the masses.

I am personally not a fan of reliance. I don’t think it’s healthy for businesses and public figures to have to be on social media. That being said, it’s probably entirely possible to be offline and still live a good life.

4. The Dirty Side of the Business

Behind the scenes, not everyone is who they seem.

Some people are completely different in person. Some exaggerate, some lie, some are just in it for the money.

It’s disappointing when you see the lengths people go to for views and sales. It’s even more disappointing when you have an online hero who doesn’t live up to what you expected. That’s where the phrase ‘Never meet your heroes’ comes from.

One of the biggest lessons I can share here is that money is a test.

Some people will drop all ethics and morals in a heartbeat for money. I can’t count how many people have pitched ideas to rip off my audience for a quick buck - and I’ve turned down every single one. I repeatedly say this, but I value trust and values over money.

Social media seems to be all about money. Everyone is flashing a Lamborghini or a Rolex these days, and more often than not it’s to plug a scam. That being said, I genuinely have a friend who drives a Lamborghini and wears a Rolex, but he has 100% halal income and is a brilliant guy, so it's not all of them!

5. Exposing People’s True Colours

Here’s something I’ve noticed as I’ve grown - some people change the way they treat you.

During medical school, I had distant acquaintances who suddenly wanted to know how much money I made or what life was like behind the scenes. They weren’t interested before, but success brings out people’s curiosity in ways that aren’t always genuine.

When you’re in my position, it’s SO OBVIOUS. As someone who deeply studies behaviour, body language and people, I notice this a mile off. Don’t be like that.

True friends stay the same no matter what.

The most fascinating discovery was learning that your biggest haters are often in proximity. They can’t handle your growth, knowing you came from the same place as them. They might gossip or spread rumours simply because they can’t stand seeing someone from their environment succeed differently.

I must say, while this sounds bad, it's <1% of people, 99% of the time people are amazing.

So I said a lot of negative things today...

...BUT…

Social media allows a global impact.

Social media breeds new international connections.

Social media has the power to amplify your voice and the voices of the unheard.

I have made some incredible connections through social media.

Some friends for life, and although I’m not married yet, maybe a spouse too. LOL jk.

The purpose of this post was simply to show you the dark side that isn’t spoken about enough. Like anything in life, there is good and there is bad. For anyone considering working in this space, do your due diligence and think thrice before you post and enter this space. Keep your intention clean and continue to renew it. Distance from bad vibes, enjoy the good side and never drop your values, especially for money.

Thanks for reading,
Daanish.

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