It doesn’t take an Internet expert to hack a viral hoax. To uncover hoaxers’ motives social users should look at the power of celebrity reactions.
Internet users create hoaxes to spark reactions from influential users and disrupt the digital community. The Instagram Hoax accomplished both tasks when celebrities reposted the information and spread the message across the platform. These users drove disruption because of their mass following. Robinson Meyer, writer at The Atlantic, acknowledges celebrity followings (specifically Twitter) in his article “The Grim Conclusions of the Largest-Ever Study of Fake News.” Meyer explains how fake news spreads like wildfire with one celebrity retweet. With celebrity’s mass followings, hoaxers know their reactions will stimulate disturbance.
Other influential users exposed the absurdity of the hoax. John Mayer created a parody post in response to the sensation:
Mayer debunked the debate by referencing content like his meatloaf recipes to show the ridiculousness behind Internet deception. He even received praise in the comments: “Hurt on Instagram? 1-800-JMAYER. Call now. Free consultation.”
Celebrities regularly joke on social platforms to spark conversation. Take a look at these tweets:
In – Free – Countries – Anyone – Can – Talk – About – Politics.
Try sounding out the syllables aloud, or ask a fluent reader to help. pic.twitter.com/K1j19EIU5f
— J.K. Rowling (@jk_rowling) January 28, 2017
Ugh – NEVER going to a Ryan Gosling movie in a theater again. Apparently masturbating in the back row is still considered "inappropriate"
— Anna Kendrick (@AnnaKendrick47) January 14, 2013
Through comedy Rowling transformed a personal attack into a sarcastic clap-back and Kendrick generated some serious social buzz by joking about a more serious matter.
The Instagram Hoax could have remained quiet but became a social media sensation from influential reactions. Internet hoaxes like this are harmless. They spur an exciting rather than destructive discussion and give unverified social users even more reason to interact with famous figures.
Internet hoaxes generate amusing celebrity reactions that disrupt the social scene. Hoaxers create this harmless disruption to spark influential responses – and the array of reactions sure do not disappoint.
Additional Sources:
“Celebrities on Instagram Fall Prey to Instagram Hoax”