As with more traditional forms of celebrity, we can't help but wonder what it would be like to have a taste of social media fame. But what are the consequences for someone who eventually rejects the demands of online fame in a very public way? And what responsibility do journalists and media outlets have for those who has had no agency when it comes to their online presence? Yes, we're talking about the kids.

In this episode, we converse with Dr Crystal Abidin, a sociocultural anthropologist who studies internet cultures. Her research focuses on young people's relationship with internet celebrity, self curation and vulnerability, and extends to childhood fame online.

Topics covered in this episode include: the progression of influencer culture, the pros and cons of accessibility online, Essena O'Neill and influencer wellbeing, childhood fame, media responsibility and more. 

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You can find out more about Dr Crystal by visiting her website.

Dr Crystal's books include Internet Celebrity: Understanding Fame Online (2018), Microcelebrity Around the Globe: Approaches to Cultures of Internet Fame (co-editor Brown, 2018), Instagram: Visual Social Media Cultures (co-authors Leaver & Highfield, 2020), and Mediated Interfaces: The Body on Social Media (co-editors Warfield & Cambre 2020). You can find these publications here.