A new book by Brian Boxer Wachler ’89, M.D., “Influenced: The Impact of Social Media on Our Perception,” will be released Nov. 1. From the book’s press release:
Is anyone safe from succumbing to a social media addiction? In “Influenced: The Impact of Social Media on Our Perception,” Boxer Wachler takes on that thorny question. A verified influencer on all social media platforms and known as “Dr. Brian” for his fun videos dispelling health myths and lies, Boxer Wachler dipped his toe into TikTok during the COVID shutdowns at the urging of his twin teenage daughters. At first, he got a kick out of the ego boost and dopamine rush. But soon, he was in way over his head. “My daughters had innocently created a TikTok Frankenstein,” he confesses. “I was out of control, subsumed by my number of views, likes, shares and followers.” Ultimately, his daughters and wife felt compelled to conduct a TikTok intervention after he amassed millions of followers.
“Being an influencer,” attests Boxer Wachler, “has the potential to be addictive and destructive. I am not alone with my predicament. What I experienced seems to be the norm, rather than the exception — and yet there does not exist a manual for influencers, followers and users on how to prevent this addiction or how to cope with it as it gets out of hand.” He wrote “Influenced” partly to fill that void.
Informed by the author’s experience, interviews with numerous social media influencers, and extensive research in neuroscience and psychology, “Influenced” sheds light on how social media affects our views, our decision-making, our mental and physical health, our society and our children — and what we can do about it. “Social media is like fire,” says Boxer Wachler. “You can use it for illumination or it can badly burn you.”
Whether you’re a social media user, an aspiring influencer, a concerned parent, or simply interested in the impact of social media on politics, society and everyday life, “Influenced” is a richly informative and fascinating read.
You’ll learn:
Read Boxer Wachler’s previous UCLA Alumni class note here.
“Being an influencer,” attests Boxer Wachler, “has the potential to be addictive and destructive. I am not alone with my predicament. What I experienced seems to be the norm, rather than the exception — and yet there does not exist a manual for influencers, followers and users on how to prevent this addiction or how to cope with it as it gets out of hand.” He wrote “Influenced” partly to fill that void.
Informed by the author’s experience, interviews with numerous social media influencers, and extensive research in neuroscience and psychology, “Influenced” sheds light on how social media affects our views, our decision-making, our mental and physical health, our society and our children — and what we can do about it. “Social media is like fire,” says Boxer Wachler. “You can use it for illumination or it can badly burn you.”
Whether you’re a social media user, an aspiring influencer, a concerned parent, or simply interested in the impact of social media on politics, society and everyday life, “Influenced” is a richly informative and fascinating read.
You’ll learn:
- What it takes to become a social media influencer — and how to determine whether the influencers you trust are truly representing themselves and the facts.
- Why children and teens are especially susceptible to social media influencers — and how social media impacts developing brains differently from those of adults.
- How social media use really affects our ability to focus and our productivity — and whether a social media habit or following makes us less social in real life.
- How to recognize the early warning signs of a social media addiction — and how to gauge when an influencer’s following becomes a cult.
- How to protect the right to freedom of expression on social media platforms while cracking down on paid propaganda and the spread of blatant, harmful lies.
- Insider tips on becoming a successful and responsible social media influencer and living a balanced life…and more.
- How to check if influencers who do paid (sponsored) posts are authentic about the endorsement (if they believe in it/use it)?
- What the algorithms look for to launch a video viral.
- How to do brand/company endorsements to steer clear of FTC (Federal Trade Commission) violations and fines.