KOLs and civic responsibility in the digital age

In the digital age, key opinion leaders (KOLs) - from singers, actors to businessmen and content creators - are possessing unprecedented power.

With hundreds of thousands, even millions of followers, their every word and action can create trends and have a strong impact on the community. This widespread and rapid influence raises an urgent question about their civic responsibility.

Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) have a huge advantage

Initially, KOLs were just opinion leaders, but in the context of globalization, their role has gone beyond that. They have gradually become "unofficial representatives" of the country. Today's youth seek out KOLs not only for entertainment but also to learn about lifestyle, thinking and nurture aspirations.

Therefore, the influence of KOLs is clearly two-sided. On the one hand, many KOLs have taken advantage of their position to spread good values ​​such as: they call for environmental protection, encourage reading culture, inspire entrepreneurship and share stories of kind and humane living. These actions sow trust and open up a positive direction for the community.

However, on the other hand, many people have pursued short-term benefits, causing negative consequences. They advertise poor quality products, spread false information, or use shocking tricks to attract attention. These "slips of the tongue" or offensive behaviors not only tarnish personal images but also seriously erode public trust.

In the context of information spreading across borders, KOLs' behavior has a strong impact on the country's image on the global stage. They become effective "soft ambassadors", when every action, from art to sports, can represent a resilient, creative and unique Vietnam, along with official diplomatic efforts.

To promote positive roles and limit negative ones, KOLs’ self-awareness alone is not enough. We need a more comprehensive and synchronous mechanism, including 3 main elements.

First, there needs to be social guidance. Regulatory bodies and professional organizations should develop clear codes of conduct for influencers, as many countries have done. These standards are not meant to stifle creativity, but to create a framework of reference for social responsibility.

Next, the monitoring role from the community itself is extremely important. Followers need to become active "companions", dare to speak up when their idols make mistakes and be willing to spread and support good values. This feedback will motivate KOLs to be more careful in every action.

Ultimately, the most decisive factor is still the inner maturity of each KOL. To lead public opinion in a worthy way, they need to constantly cultivate knowledge, train their personality and stay alert to the temptations of fame and material things. The story of a travel influencer who switched from attracting views to telling cultural and historical stories and received greater support is proof that: when KOLs dare to live responsibly, they will receive love and lasting attachment from the community.

In the context of a country that is rising strongly, KOL can become an important resource, transforming national aspirations into actions. A meaningful call or a beautiful action that is spread has a power far beyond many costly propaganda campaigns. In the end, each KOL is faced with a choice of chasing short-lived glory, or becoming a lasting light that illuminates the community. That choice is the answer to whether they want to become a mere celebrity, or a responsible citizen for the future of the country.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/kol-va-trach-nhiem-cong-dan-trong-ky-nguyen-so-196250822210922546.htm