Picture this: You open up Instagram and notice your mega social media influencer posting about a brand new lip gloss that they’re absolutely obsessed with. You take note, and then notice a few days later a couple of more people on your feed start talking about this new gloss. There’s a good chance that eventually you’ll want this new lip gloss too.
I grew up with the internet. Yep, the world wide web, technology and I went through varying stages of life together: from dealing with dial-up internet to eventually using the luxury of the hotspot to get internet anytime, anywhere, evolving from AIM to iMessage to chat with my friends at the end of the day, and from using Skype calls with webcam attachments to leveraging apps like Facetime and Zoom to connect with long-distance friends and work colleagues.
Generation X singlehandedly grew up with a way of life so vastly different than their predecessors that it was almost too much for older generations to truly understand. Mainstream forms of media evolved, and instead of having to pick up the local newspaper to get the latest local news, consumers can turn to streaming apps and social media to get whatever information they need whenever they need it.
Let’s break down what the hypodermic needle theory actually is.
The hypodermic needle theory, also known as the magic bullet theory of mass communication, suggests that consumers of media are susceptible to the influence of mass media. But, aren’t we all susceptible to the media’s influence? From the moment we open our phones, influence is found everywhere.
And this isn’t limited to just social media influencers. Your favorite athlete posts about a new electrolyte supplement they take before going onto the field, you notice your favorite newscaster starts to form an opinion about a local politician, or your favorite model whose style you idolize starts repping a new clothing brand. Your subconscious takes note of all of these things,
I would be lying if I said I haven’t fallen susceptible.
Earlier this week I came across an article talking about where to find the Stanley cups stock and it left me curious. So I decided to investigate further, and came across another article from the New York Times speaking to the TikTok famous Stanley Adventure-Quencer. Next thing you know, I am deep into Stanley tumbler TikTok, I’m joining Stanley tumbler Facebook groups to find exclusive colors (because literally everything is sold out).
Did I know I needed this 40 oz. water bottle prior to coming across the press articles? Absolutely not. But because everyone spoke so highly of the bottles, both members of the media and consumers across social media, I needed to have it.
Now, it’s not always I find myself going to these lengths to purchase products those online suggest (but you know how important it is to drink your daily water dosage – this hyper fixation felt justified!). Thoroughly researching things – products, services, and information – is crucial in making sure you don’t fall gullible to everything you come across online.
