Social Media Stars Don't Deserve Their Revenue | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

Social Media Stars Don't Deserve Their Revenue

Posting on social media shouldn't be above risking your life for your country.

68
Social Media Stars Don't Deserve Their Revenue
Pexels.com

Social media stars have millions of followers on their social media platforms. On average, one of their posts generates as much as $550,000. For most middle class families, the average income varies between $52,250 and $250,000. For an entire year's salary, celebrities can make up to three times that amount in one post. YouTube stars can also generate up to $300,000 per video. I understand it takes a certain amount of work to gain millions of followers, but the system of income in social media's perspective is completely wrong.

Where could that money go?

Both of my parents are teachers, and only earn an annual income of about $80,000. They have a child in college, three cars to pay for each month, cable, a home, and classrooms to maintain. My boyfriend's father served multiple tours overseas in the Army, and typically Army members only make an initial amount of $26,000 for taking their lives on the front line and seeing the horrors of war and inhumanity. Why does a celebrity deserve more money for posting a photo than our soldiers, teachers, and the people who work to serve and protect?

The short answer: They don't. I'm fine with celebrities and artists to use their platform to bring in some income as they share their passion, but it eventually makes their passion superficial. In our country, more than 45 million live in poverty. Regardless of their own efforts, most that suffer in poverty are not able to afford an education to be able to earn a better income. Most college students graduate college with a debt of $40,000 that can take most of their lives to pay off. Veterans who are medically discharged must pay medical bills and often only get a service check for their efforts. Families who are struggling are forced to apply for food stamps.

I understand that some people take advantage of the governmental system. But what if more people who deserved a better life were able to have every opportunity without the fear of money? That's one of the largest fears in the United States.

Additionally, more people are suffering outside of the United States. One Instagram post could feed an entire impoverished village in Africa. Their funds can go toward the right organizations that make an effort to make the world better. Women in the middle east still have no way of getting an education or the freedoms that we do.

A lot of people also are moving in a direction where they work from home on social media, so it should move at the pace of a general income that is earned by the hard work of that person's business. I'm not against revenue, because that money is capable of going toward a worthy cause.

I want to be clear, I love that celebrities like Ellen DeGeneres and Oprah are using their powerful voices to change the world a little bit at a time and more and more celebrities are donating toward amazing causes. But it's not enough. A celebrity that can buy a new car for the sake of having a new car could donate their car to a struggling student. The world is capable of change, but only if an effort is actually made.

Veterans deserve more.

Students deserve more.

Teachers deserve more.

Firefighters and police officers deserve more.

No one should ever have to worry about money keeping them from school and feeding their families properly.

No one should ever worry about their next meal.

No spouse should ever have to worry about paying for a funeral of their fallen soldier.

"Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort." --Franklin D. Roosevelt

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
girl
Pexels

In case you're unaware, "resting bitch face" is the term used to describe when a person's natural, expressionless face makes it look like they are mad at the world. Whether they are walking down the street or simply spacing out thinking about what to eat for dinner, it's very easy for others to assume that this person is either upset or mad at them. Because of this, those of us with Resting Bitch Face (RBF), and especially us women, have all experienced many of the same situations and conversations, including:

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

The Stages Of A Crush As Told By The Cast of "Bob's Burgers"

We all go through certain stages when we have a crush, Tina just explains it better.

441
my heart just pooped its pants
Google

We've all had a crush before. Whether it leads to something or nothing, the process has all been the same. The awkward feelings, the stalking, and the stress of trying to keep this huge secret. The feeling of becoming a total spazz is something that cannot be avoided, and the most spazzy family that can relate to this feeling is the Belcher's.

Keep Reading...Show less
you didnt come this far to only come this far lighted text
Photo by Drew Beamer on Unsplash

At the tender age of 18, we are bestowed with the title of “adult.” For 17 years, we live under the rules and guidelines of our parents, school, and government, and to stray from any of those rules or guidelines marks us as a rebel. At 18, though, we must choose which college we want to go to or what career we want. We are allowed and encouraged to vote. We can buy lottery tickets and cigarettes. We can drop out of school, leave our household, and do other "adult" things. At 18, we start down a path of thinking for ourselves, when for the entirety of our lives other institutions have been mandated to think and do for us.

Keep Reading...Show less
university
University of Nebraska at Omaha

Creating your schedule for the upcoming semester can be an exciting process. You have the control to decide if you want to have class two-days a week or five-days a week. You get to check things off of your requirement checklist. It's an opportunity for a fresh start with new classes (which you tell yourself you'll never skip.) This process, which always starts out so optimistic, can get frustrating really quickly. Here are 25 thoughts you have when registering for classes.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

10 Thoughts Of A 5th Year Senior

What about those of us who don't do it all in four years?

1580
college shirt
pointsincase.com

"College will be the best four years of your life" is a phrase that we have all heard growing up. College is painted as a magical place to us while we are in high school. A place you go to learn, meet your best friends and probably have the time of your life while all of this is going down. Four whirlwind years, where everything that you've known changes and you start to learn what it means to live on your own, have a job, etc. But what about those of us who don't do this all in four years? Major changes, hard courses, switching schools, career paths changing, these are just a handful of factors that could extend your four years to five, six or seven. There is nothing wrong with taking extra time to graduate, but returning as a fifth-year is a little different. Most of your best friends have most likely graduated and moved and while you may be one of the oldest undergraduates on campus, you might feel as awkward as a freshmen. A world that became home and comfortable to you is still there but it's slightly different than you've known it to be and you have to find a groove to fall into. These are thoughts you'll have as you look ahead to returning to your college campus, with a victory lap planned.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments