Chasing Cameron

Fans and followers will have this show on their must-see lists, but it's little more than a self-promotional tool for Cameron and his fellow internet personalities. These stars' claim to fame is their ability to market themselves via photos and videos to their legions of young, mostly female fans. It's not a substantive job with standards for success. Instead they measure their achievements by how quickly they can turn a post or a picture into millions of likes or an outing into a fan mob, sending questionable messages about self-worth, not to mention solid career aspirations. Yes, it does reflect the changing nature of our culture and social media's place in it, but discerning viewers are left wondering if this really is a good change.

One interesting theme that deserves some discussion if your kids do follow Chasing Cameron is the apparent correlation between Cameron's lack of a father figure and his seeming desperation for fans' approval, as well as similar scenarios among his fellow stars. This touches on broader issues concerning social media, namely its influence on the very nature of reality and its role in affecting self-esteem. If it can be used to make anyone a star, then what defines success? What happens when the next best thing comes along? Is there anything tangible about virtual relationships? These and other issues are just coming to light in our tweens' and teens' social media-saturated lives, and they warrant some thought, especially after watching this series.