As you scroll through your TikTok For You page, you’re likely to stumble upon a haul video. Whether it’s someone showcasing their massive Shein order or an influencer unboxing an immense amount of PR packages you will surely find yourself glued to the screen, eager to hear them review the items. I’ll admit, I am guilty of this too. Many brands do effectively use social media influencers and PR packages to market their products to a demographic of enthusiastic teenage spenders. However, even if these videos are fun to watch and seem harmless they are actually doing more damage than good.
With “hauls” gaining popularity, teenagers are being normalized to spending large sums of money in a single shopping trip. This fosters overconsumption and consumerism to a damaging extent. Social media users are also being conditioned to value ownership of many material items and participate in fast fashion. Thanks to a generation that is chronically online, clothing trends can be spread around the internet in just a matter of days. From negative environmental impacts to labor exploitation issues, it is important that teens educate themselves on the damage caused by fast fashion. One of the most popular brands right now, Shein, has been known to add up to 500 new products onto their website each day! Companies like Shein also generate hundreds of thousands of pounds of synthetic material that end up going to landfills or are released into the ocean each year. With the presence of social media we are no longer encouraged to prioritize sustainability and quality in the products we purchase.
The worst part about hauls however, is the instant gratification developed from giant shopping sprees. As teens chase after the latest trends, they find themselves feeling pressure to keep up with their peers, leading to an unhealthy relationship with money and self-worth. This leads to a never ending cycle of anxiety and dissatisfaction in appearance. The obsession with acquiring more physical objects trumps the importance of forming meaningful relationships, ultimately steering teenagers away from people with genuine, friendly qualities. Promoting the practice of mindful consumption and wearing ethical fashion on social media will empower the next generation to make more informed and responsible choices. So, next time you come across a haul video I encourage you to take a closer look at what the creator is really promoting.