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Abstract

The rise of virtual "social media influencers," created through artificial intelligence (AI) and digital avatars, has reshaped the landscape of social media marketing and online interactions. These influencers, which are not human but are designed to simulate human behaviors and appearances, have garnered massive followings across platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. While traditional human influencers have been the subject of significant research regarding their psychological impact on followers, the psychiatric effects of virtual influencers remain relatively underexplored. This article examines the psychiatric impacts of virtual influencers on their audiences, focusing on issues such as body image, identity formation, social comparison, and mental health disorders. It discusses how the artificial, often idealized portrayal of life by virtual influencers may exacerbate feelings of inadequacy, anxiety, and depression among followers. Additionally, the article explores the implications for the mental health of the virtual influencers themselves digital avatars created for engagement rather than authentic human experience. The article concludes by proposing recommendations for mitigating the negative psychiatric effects of virtual influencers and promoting a more balanced and ethical approach to their use in digital spaces.