| Abstract: | Instagram influencers have become visible figures in contemporary digital culture, shaping perceptions of lifestyle, success, and identity through their carefully curated images and narratives. This study examines how rural college students in Quepem perceive Instagram influencers and whether they view influencer content as inspiring, pressuring, or largely insignificant. This study approaches influencer content as a form of everyday digital storytelling that communicates particular social values and identity ideals. The study was conducted among undergraduate students using a structured questionnaire and short, written responses. Students were inquired about their patterns of Instagram use, the types of influencers they follow, and their views on influencer content related to appearance, lifestyle, success, and authenticity. The responses were analysed to identify recurring attitudes such as admiration, aspiration, scepticism, or resistance, and to examine how students relate influencers’ narratives to their social realities. This study is expected to reveal diverse and sometimes contradictory responses, with influencers serving as sources of motivation for some students while generating emotional pressure or disengagement for others. By focusing on student perceptions rather than behavioural outcomes, this study contributes to broader discussions on storytelling, identity formation, and social influence in digital spaces, with specific reference to rural youth contexts. |
