The Federal Government seeks the help of social media influencers to influence the youth

 

The Liberal government is embracing social media influencers as part of an effort to win back teenagers, young adults and others who consume information through social media. The government is targeting those who make videos like Reels on social media platforms like Tik Tok and Instagram. The government is eyeing those who can influence the youth through the videos of influencers who have lakhs of followers.

Now most of the young people do not watch news or other news based programs. They don't use traditional media, says 27-year-old Renee Odetoine Bowe, who was invited by the finance minister's office to attend the last two federal budgets. Renee said that the videos on social media mainly give them information.

Meanwhile, neither Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland's office nor the Prime Minister's Office were ready to answer questions about the plan. But the minister's office said influencers are not paid when they are invited to government events that include housing announcements in Toronto in the weeks leading up to the budget.

Videos will be made using influencers to spread awareness about the budget among people especially youth. Creators producing content on the budget will focus on topics of interest to the youth and answer followers' questions, officials said.