There are social media influencers on your feed now sharing fashion information, lifestyle hacks and daily schedules. But sometimes the line between personal content and public responsibility becomes blurry. A recent episode in which a young influencer shot a “fit check” video in public space attracted online debate. The influencer was accused of blaming a passerby for “ruining” her video, when the passerby walked by and didn’t recognize her. This moment raised a crucial question for me: Are the influencers treating public spaces like their own private studios?
Influencers are individuals who compile content about everything from fashion and beauty to travel, music, sports and more to be shared by their followers. Most of them struggle to develop their brand and reach audiences. But as their popularity expands, so too does their role in public spaces, parks, street corners, malls, and even elevators turn into scenes in which cameras feed up images and videos. Although creating content is fine, when influencers get used to the public adapting to the different times/viz. filming is the problem. Everyone shares public spaces. Nobody has the right to take them on for their own personal use, and we want to do so by sacrificing the comfort and freedom of others.
What does these influencers think that every public place is their private property.
— Chota Don (@choga_don) January 22, 2026
Look at the audacity of this girl to blame the person who was just walking by and didn't even notice her. Next time the whole street will be closed for her to record her "fit check" 🤡 pic.twitter.com/FKUCnRDAR2
In this case, it was the young woman who filmed herself with an elevator or inside public space at hand. She was dressed and filming a video and, maybe, a fashion clip. When someone walked by her without paying attention, she supposedly reacted badly and put a finger on it, which the woman said included saying the person was interrupting her video. There was criticism of this reaction online. To a lot of people the influencer seemed presumptuous expecting people to act as if there was a space on their shoulders. It wasn’t simply one person’s criticisms but a manifestation of increased frustration with some influencers’ antics in public.
Public space is for the many. Whether it is a street, a park, or a building lobby, those spaces are used by people for daily life -- not filming. When influencers have expectations of quietness, of nobody, or of attention in these spaces, there is tension, as well. It also misleads: that content creation is worth more than respect for others. This kind of behavior can put normal people in uncomfortable and in many cases, fearful situations and they are reluctant to move freely. Not only will it lead to conflicts but also unnecessary ones. They should remember that their right to make things does not trump the right of others to use public space peacefully.
Social media rewards attention. The more views, likes, and shares a video gets, the more successful an influencer is. This demands some creators play some parts or inflate situations for drama. But when this type of behavior spills over into public life, real people are impacted. Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok have made it easy to post content on-demand. Yet they also must show that we care. Influencers’ respect of public spaces should be promoted, and they should be dissuaded from causing discomforts in the first place just for content.
Not every influencer acts this way. Most are respectful, creative and thoughtful. But these incidents call to mind the need for balance. We need to say to influencers that public spaces are not private sets. They need to think about what they present, not disturb others and acknowledge that not every moment will be perfect. Similarly, the public should be patient and kind but not afraid to voice its concern when limits have been pushed. Respect goes both ways.
The incident involving the influencer and the bystander is more than just an online moment. It reflects that fame from the age of social media sometimes clouds your judgment. Public space is for all to use and people should never be encouraged to control those public places purely for their own gain. Influencers have the potential to influence, entertain and educate. But with that power comes accountability. And let’s hope future content creators remember this and respect, rather than indulge, or pursue ego, too when the camera starts rolling.
