Being an 'influencer' or being a good influence
BarcelonaIf Hamlet were alive today, perhaps he wouldn't question life and death, but something more mundane: being influencer or be a good influence. We live in a time when many young people dream of being influencersThis is understandable and even stimulating: having the ability to influence the opinions, decisions, or behaviors of others can be very appealing. Dreaming of having an impact isn't the problem; what matters is not losing sight of two essential questions: What am I willing to do to achieve it? And what impact do I want to create?
The illusion of visibility often outweighs the value of what is shared. This can lead to confusing success with external approval, a loss of authenticity, and a reliance on an algorithm for validation, with the risk of emotional burnout.
This is where emotional education is essential. Developing skills such as awareness, emotional regulation, empathy, critical thinking, and resilience not only helps us grow personally, but also allows us to decide what kind of influence we want to exert. Without these skills, it's easy to end up publishing out of habit, prioritizing likes above the value of the message.
Role models
Being a good person is not enough. influencerTrue strength lies in becoming a positive influence, and this is only possible if we place the human dimension and the common good at the heart of our impact. The difference is enormous: we can simply entertain for a few moments, or we can help someone transform how they see themselves, how they relate to others, and even how they perceive the world.
It's clear that this isn't about generalizing: you can be a good influencer And, at the same time, a positive influence. We have evidence of this in the role models who inspire us today and promote positive change through social media.
The point, then, would not be to discourage young people from dreaming of being influencersbut rather to guide them so they discover that their value doesn't depend on an algorithm, but on their ability to contribute something genuine and valuable to the world. And this is a process that requires inner work of self-knowledge, patience, and perseverance.
Technology is changing at a breakneck pace. That's why it's urgent to help children and young people build their own compass, made of solid values like authenticity, responsibility, humility, and solidarity. When the temptation of like Become strong, this compass will remind you that a good influencer It may be a fleeting inspiration, but a good influence can transform you for life.