We’re all guilty of indulging in a bit of wealth porn – thanks to social media
“Wealth porn” is the name given to the glorification and obsession with extravagant displays of wealth on social media platforms, reality TV shows, and in magazines.
We’re absolutely surrounded by it!
It involves flaunting luxurious possessions – like handbags, cars and clothes – lavish lifestyles, and experiences to evoke envy or admiration among viewers.
This trend has been around for years already, it’s nothing new. However, the effect it can have on the average person scrolling through social media overtime can be so damaging.
It can leave people with unrealistic standards of success and materialism, leading to feelings of inadequacy or dissatisfaction among those who consume it, according to experts.
So what is wealth porn?
It can be things like:
1. Social media influencers posting photos or videos showcasing their luxurious holidays, designer clothing, or extravagant parties.
2. Reality TV shows that follow the lives of wealthy people, focusing on their unattainable lifestyles, expensive purchases, and glamorous events.
3. Celebrity gossip magazines featuring stories and photos of celebrities flaunting their multimillion-dollar mansions, private jets, and high-end fashion collections.
4. YouTube channels dedicated to showcasing “day in the life” videos of affluent people, showing off their extravagant routines and possessions.
5. Instagram accounts dedicated to showing off expensive cars, yachts, jewellery, and other symbols of wealth.
These are just a few examples that highlight the trend of glamorising extreme wealth and material excess for entertainment and social validation.
How can you know if you are being affected by the trend of wealth porn?
Well it’s simple, if you find yourself:
- Constantly comparing your lifestyle or possessions to those depicted in wealth porn content.
- Feeling envious or inadequate when viewing others’ extravagant displays of wealth.
- Prioritising material possessions or experiences solely for the purpose of impressing others.
- Experiencing dissatisfaction with your own life or financial situation after consuming wealth porn content.
- Engaging in excessive spending or debt to emulate the lifestyles depicted in wealth porn.
- Feeling pressure to maintain a certain image of success or luxury based on societal standards portrayed in wealth porn.
If you notice any of these behaviours or feelings, it may be worth reflecting on how wealth porn is impacting your mindset and overall well-being.
You should also take steps to limit your exposure to this kind of content by re-evaluating the content you are absorbing on a daily basis.
While some aspects of wealth porn may portray genuine wealth and opulence, it’s also so important to know that much of it is a facade.
Many influencers curate their social media content or appearances specifically to showcase a glamorous lifestyle, and often exaggerate or embellish their wealth for entertainment purposes, according to a report by Business Insider.
Behind the scenes, the reality may be quite different, and a lot of people who own these accounts could be facing financial stress or debt despite their outward displays of luxury.
As well as this, some wealth porn content may be staged or sponsored by brands, further blurring the line between reality and fantasy.
It’s essential to know that wealth porn is often a curated and exaggerated version of reality and should be consumed as entertainment rather than an accurate portrayal of genuine wealth and happiness.
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