In our era of growing social media interconnectivity, the boundary between authenticity and deception often becomes indistinct. This is especially true for Chinese influencers, who have been caught faking their location on social media to gain more followers and appear more relatable to their American audience.
One TikTok creator, who goes by the username @chengxiaoan, recently exposed the tricks used by Chinese influencers to pretend they’re in the US. In a series of viral videos, she demonstrated how to take photos that make it look like you’re in America, even if you’re actually thousands of miles away.
The Deception
The rise of social media has brought about a new era of cultural appropriation, where people from one culture adopt elements of another culture without fully understanding or respecting their significance. This is especially prevalent in the world of social media, where influencers are constantly searching for new ways to stand out and gain more followers.
One of the most popular trends on social media right now is the “American aesthetic,” which involves taking photos in front of quintessentially American backdrops, like the Golden Gate Bridge or Times Square. However, many Chinese influencers are faking these photos by using photography tricks and editing software to make it look like they’re in the US.
The Tricks
@chengxiaoan demonstrated some of the most popular tricks used by Chinese influencers to fake their location on social media. A frequently employed technique involves utilizing a green screen to craft the perception of being situated in an alternate location. For example, the influencer might film themselves standing in front of a green screen and then edit in an American backdrop later.
Another popular trick is to use photo editing software to add American landmarks or symbols to the background of photos. For example, an influencer might take a photo in front of a plain wall and then edit in the Statue of Liberty or the Hollywood sign in the background.
The Consequences
While these tricks may seem harmless, they contribute to the growing problem of cultural appropriation on social media. By faking their location and pretending to be in the US, Chinese influencers are appropriating American culture without fully understanding or respecting its significance.
Furthermore, this kind of deception undermines the authenticity of social media and contributes to the growing skepticism of influencers and their content. As more and more people become aware of these tricks, the pressure will be on influencers to be more transparent and authentic in their social media posts.
Conclusion
The rise of social media has brought about new opportunities for cultural exchange and understanding, but it has also created new problems and challenges. Chinese influencers pretending to be in the US is just one example of how social media can contribute to cultural appropriation and deception.
As consumers of social media, it’s important to be aware of these issues and to hold influencers accountable for their content. By promoting authenticity and respect, we can work towards a more inclusive and culturally sensitive online community.
