Ava 2050: Influencers, digital footprints and health
DESCRIPTION:
The “Ava” model shows how the influencer lifestyle shapes posture, skin, eyes, sleep, and psyche — and which steps to protect.
Influencers in 2050: How the digital lifestyle is changing body and soul
Summary
Influencers are global idols today — but what happens to our bodies and health when selfies, follower pressure and 90-hour weeks become a permanent state of affairs? A propaganda campaign has designed the “Ava” model — a digital image of the future of a typical influencer in the year 2050. Ava shows posture, skin, eyes, sleep, face, and hair as the digital lifestyle characterises them.
What it's about:
Background to the affiliate and influencer economy
medical research findings on the consequences of the digital lifestyle and
what steps are needed to maintain balance and health
Why are influencers currently experiencing a boom?
The number of influencers is growing rapidly. It is estimated that there are 30 to 50 million active creators worldwide. This number increases by 10 to 20 per cent every year. The business is lucrative: brands invest billions in collaborations and for many, being an influencer is considered a dream career.
But behind the glamour lies a tough everyday life. Studies indicate that some influencers work up to 90 hours a week. A constant online presence, globally coordinated posting times and travelling for brand events are all part of the job. The price: body and psyche are out of balance.
The AVA study on the appearance of influencers in 2050
“AVA” comes from Casino.org, a gambling website of all things, which is ostensibly concerned about the long-term health consequences of the influencer lifestyle and therefore initiated the creation of the digital model “AVA”, which is intended to depict the potential physical appearance of influencers in 2050. Experts utilised medical research to illustrate the cumulative effects of typical influencer habits.
Methodological approach
Medical studies were used, in particular from the journal Interdisciplinary Neurosurgery, looking at the effects of excessive smartphone use on posture. The papers used examined various aspects of the influencer lifestyle, including
Working up to 90 hours a week in front of screens
Frequent cosmetic procedures and filler treatments
Constant exposure to LED lighting
Permanent sleep deprivation due to irregular working hours
Objective of the project
Casino.org explains: Ava, shows the face of tomorrow's social media star and is a warning for today. The project aims to inform the public about the potential health consequences associated with the tracking of algorithms, beauty standards and constant content creation.
The study is therefore not a scientific investigation, but rather an educational project that aims to develop a plausible vision of the future from medical findings and raise awareness of the health risks of the influencer profession.
However, the connection between a gambling platform and a health education project raises considerable doubts about motivation and authenticity.
The business model of Casino.org
It is Kafkaesque that Casino.org operates as an affiliate marketing platform that is primarily financed by commissions from gambling providers. The company boasts over 2.1 million organic monthly visitors and is recognised as one of the most influential casino affiliate brands in the world. The majority of their revenue comes from performance-based partnerships, where they are only paid for actual referred traffic.
However, the relationship between affiliate marketing and the influencer trend is fundamental and forms the financial backbone of the modern creator economy. Affiliate marketing enables the monetisation of influencer reach and transforms social media presence into measurable revenue streams.
TikTok Shop and YouTube's Affiliate Hub integrate affiliate functions directly into the content platforms. Instagram Shopping, TikTok's third-party links and specialised platforms such as Awin, CJ, Metapic and Linkster professionalise technical processing. This integration eliminates frictional losses between content consumption and purchase completion, significantly increasing conversion rates.
The strategic mass activation of micro-influencers (5,000-50,000 followers) is revolutionising traditional affiliate marketing. Instead of individual mega-influencers, brands are activating hundreds of creators simultaneously with individualised tracking links and commission-based remuneration models.
Nano-influencers (1,000-10,000 followers) generate particularly high engagement rates and reach specific target groups with authentic proximity to the community. This development democratises monetisation and also enables smaller creators to generate substantial income.
Instagram remains the leading monetisation platform with 68% affiliate preference, while 62% of affiliates rate short videos as optimal for spontaneous conversions.
YouTube generates long-term affiliate revenue through SEO-optimised evergreen content, with 55% of creators generating consistent revenue through video description links.
From content to commerce
The creator economy will reach a volume of USD 156 billion by 2025 and is growing by 22.5% annually. 50 million people worldwide identify as creators, with affiliate marketing becoming a monetisation strategy.
Creators are evolving into media entrepreneurs, building their own teams and generating revenue streams through affiliate partnerships, proprietary products and consulting services.
The fusion of affiliate marketing and influencer marketing creates a self-reinforcing ecosystem that drives both the professionalisation of the creator economy and the efficiency of digital marketing. This symbiotic relationship establishes affiliate marketing as the infrastructure of the modern influencer landscape.
Structural conflicts of interest
Casino.org earns money with affiliate marketing by directing people to gambling platforms, but at the same time warns of the long-term health risks of this very activity. The platform's very existence depends on a continuous supply of new players. Studies show that affiliate marketing models work particularly effectively with problem gamblers, as they gamble more frequently and more intensively.
Research results systematically prove that corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes in the gaming industry are primarily used as a defence strategy against stricter regulation. A study of German arcade operators found that only 1% of problem gamblers are actually addressed by employees, despite this being advertised as a key CSR measure.
The industry is financially motivated to cater for problem gamblers in particular, as they contribute disproportionately to turnover. This makes sincere harm prevention in the gambling industry a contradiction in terms.
Virtue signalling mechanisms
Typical characteristics of virtue signalling are also recognisable in this project:
Symbolic gestures without substantial behavioural change
Generating attention through controversial topics
Reputation management in an ethically problematic industry
Distraction from one's own role in causing the problem
This has historical parallels: The gambling industry follows established patterns of the tobacco and alcohol industries, which also use “responsibility campaigns” as a defence against regulation.
Casino.org's AVA project generates significant media attention and positions the company as a “responsible” voice in the industry. This strategy allows the company to distance itself from direct criticism while continuing its core business unchanged.
So while the “AVA Study” is an educational campaign warning of health risks, the same website actively promotes gambling offers and bonuses that contribute to the creation of those very risks. (“Fair Use” also logically invites the free, non-commercial use of all content in return for a backlink to Casino.org, of course only because of the authors).
Developments
Current research shows that industry-initiated safety messages “When The Fun Stops” or “Take Time To Think” are demonstrably ineffective or even counterproductive. Instead, experts are increasingly calling for health warnings similar to tobacco warnings.
International trend: Australia, Belgium and the Netherlands are already developing mandatory, independent warnings in response to the ineffectiveness of industry-led “responsibility campaigns”.
Casino.org's AVA study follows a recognisable pattern of strategic virtue signalling, where symbolic health education acts as reputational protection and regulatory defence without changing fundamental business practices. This is symptomatic of an industry that structurally profits from problems that it ostensibly claims to be fighting.
So who is Ava, the future model of the influencer?
So even if “Ava” was developed by experts in the service of the unfair intentions of a player in the creator economy, the model brings together medical data on the existence of these very influencers. It is a condensed representation of what constant screen time, cosmetic pressure and stress can do.
Ava clearly bears the marks of incessant media use:
A hunched back,
irritated skin,
dark circles under her eyes,
lack of sleep,
overfilled facial features due to fillers,
thinning hair due to permanent styling.
It is a dystopian vision of the future, 30 years ahead.
How is smartphone use changing attitudes?
Smartphones have become our constant companions. But constantly looking down has consequences for the spine. Specialist literature describes the “mobile phone neck”: The cervical spine is almost permanently in a bent position of 15 to 60 degrees.
The consequences:
Chronic neck and back pain,
tension,
a permanently hunched back.
A stooped posture not only has a physical effect, but also a psychological one. Slouching makes you look smaller, more tired, more insecure. Ava shows how years of poor posture become ingrained in the body.
What is “digital skin ageing” due to light sources?
Influencers are exposed to artificial light every day — ring lights, LED panels, smartphone displays. These sources emit blue light that penetrates deep into the skin.
Medical studies describe this effect as “digital ageing”. It leads to
Pigmentation spots,
fine wrinkles,
chronic inflammation.
Researchers at the University of Buffalo also found a link between social media use, somatic complaints and an increased tendency to inflammation. Ava's pale skin is an expression of this constant stress.
What skin problems are caused by daily make-up?
Perfect skin is part of the job. However, daily make-up application, constant product changes and invasive treatments put massive strain on the skin.
Contact dermatitis due to frequent changes of creams and serums.
Clogged pores and acne due to heavy layers of make-up.
Inflammation as a result of constant irritation.
The skin is a mirror of inner balance. Ava shows how self-optimisation can turn into visible problems.
Why does eye health suffer from screen time?
Influencers spend many hours a day in front of screens — editing videos, live-streaming or editing photos. The result: digital eye strain, also known as computer vision syndrome (CVS).
Symptoms:
Red, dry eyes,
blurred vision,
dark circles and puffiness.
According to a review in BMJ Open Ophthalmology, up to 50% of users are affected. Ava's tired eyes tell the story of decades of constant screen work.
What are the consequences of sleep deprivation in the influencer lifestyle?
Global reach means working around the clock. Many influencers post at night, travel for brand trips, or party until the morning. The sleep rhythm gets off track.
The National Sleep Foundation warns: “Checking social media before bed keeps us awake … The blue light from screens has the biggest impact on sleep.”
Consequences of chronic sleep deprivation:
Constant tiredness,
hormonal imbalances,
hair loss,
swollen eyelids,
increased risk of depression and heart disease.
Ava bears the marks of years without restful sleep.
How is social media shaping the face through filler trends?
Trends such as “Snapchat Dysmorphia” and “Pillow Face Syndrome” mean that many faces are heavily characterised by filler.
Overfilled syndrome: overcorrections distort natural proportions.
Symptoms: raised cheekbones, pointed chin shape, artificial skin texture.
The specialist journal PRIME describes the causes: incorrect choice of material, imprecise placement, exaggerated correction.
Ava's face is such a filler face — the result of trying to turn filters into reality.
Why does permanent styling lead to hair loss?
Hair is a key stylistic device for self-expression. However, extensions, tight braids and permanent styling put a strain on the hair roots.
The result: traction alopecia — hair loss due to mechanical stress.
The onset of bald patches,
receding hairline,
irreversible damage.
Constant pulling on the hair roots leads to hair loss, which over time becomes permanent. Ava's scalp is weakened from years of styling.
Attention economy and the body
Influencers operate in a world in which attention is the most important currency. Those who generate clicks, likes and shares gain reach — and therefore income. This system of the attention economy rewards extreme behaviour: constant online presence, ever new content, an inexhaustible stream of images.
The price is high: the body and psyche are put under constant stress. The need to remain visible and active at all times leads to overwork, lack of sleep and lack of rest. Ava is an expression of this system: her drawn body shows how attention, when it becomes the central resource, literally leaves its mark.
Beauty as a commodity and projection surface
In the influencer cosmos, beauty is both an ideal and a product. Perfect skin, flawless proportions and endless youth become a projection screen for desires that brands associate with consumer offers. Beauty is thus transformed from a cultural ideal into a tradable commodity — sold via collaborations, selfies and stories.
But this constant pressure to optimise has consequences: Interventions, layers of make-up and fillers leave their mark. The façade cracks, revealing what Ava embodies underneath — a body that has been moulded by algorithms rather than by nature. Beauty loses its spontaneity and is transformed into a mould.
Symbolic capital and the power of images
Influencers live from a form of capital that is not material but symbolic. Pierre Bourdieu used it to describe the recognition, status, and prestige that people gain through certain signs and symbols. For influencers, this capital consists of follower numbers, collaborations, access to exclusive events — and, above all, the image of their body.
The problem: symbolic capital requires constant confirmation. Every break, every “non-post” means a loss. This creates a spiral in which health and authenticity are sacrificed to secure status. Ava shows where this leads: A body that has been moulded less for its own good and more for external projection.
The good news: small steps with a big impact
You don't need to make radical changes or give up digital media to find your way out of the “Ava future”. Even conscious changes in everyday life can have a big impact if they are implemented consistently. They are like small anchor points that bring body and soul back into balance.
Clear limits on screen time
· Schedule fixed times: Set intervals in which smartphones, laptops, and televisions are switched off — for example during meals or an hour before going to bed.
· Digital detox moments: Even short phases in which you are consciously offline provide relief for your eyes, posture and nervous system.
· Specific tip: Use apps or settings that limit your screen time and switch off notifications that take up unnecessary attention.
Why it works: Deliberate offline phases break the maelstrom of the attention economy. They reduce stress, improve concentration and strengthen self-determination.
Fixed sleep rituals
· Stabilise your rhythm: If possible, go to bed at the same time and get up at fixed times — even at the weekend.
· Evening relaxation: Avoid screens for at least 60 minutes before going to bed. Reading, listening to music or breathing exercises promote relaxation.
· Develop a ritual: A glass of warm milk, a short meditation or an evening walk signal to the body: now it's time to rest.
Why it works: A stable sleep rhythm strengthens the immune system, ability to concentrate and mental balance. It restores the inner clock to its natural rhythm.
Conscious skin care
· Less is more: opt for a consistent routine with a few tried and tested products instead of constant novelties.
· Protection instead of stimulation: Sun protection and gentle care protect better than aggressive interventions or constant make-up application.
· Allow naturalness: Give your skin regular breaks from make-up to help it regenerate itself.
Why it works: Skin responds positively to stability and moderation. It is not just a beauty feature, but an expression of inner balance.
Breaks for your back and eyes
· Move regularly: Stand up every hour, stretch or take a few steps.
· Take the strain off your eyes: the 20-20-20 rule helps: look 20 metres away for 20 seconds every 20 minutes.
· Small routines: Short stretching exercises at work or consciously blinking prevent strain from becoming chronic.
Why it works: Micro-breaks help the body and eyes to recover quickly. They prevent tension and overload from becoming permanent.
Refrain from extreme self-optimisation
· Realistic standards: Don't strive for perfection, but for authenticity. Small imperfections are part of genuine charisma.
· Accept limits: Instead of constantly perfecting your body, it pays to see it as an ally.
· Practise serenity: Awareness of your values replaces the pressure to constantly look flawless.
Why it works: Beauty loses its value when it becomes a mere projection surface for likes. Authenticity and serenity have a more convincing and lasting effect than any filter.
These steps are a conscious counter-movement to the attention economy, which demands constant accessibility, perfection, and visibility. Every decision in favour of calm, naturalness, and moderation is also a decision against the compulsion to constantly assert oneself in the digital competition.
In the end, “Ava” is not an inevitable fate. It is a warning — and at the same time an invitation to change course in good time. Those who opt for small, healthy routines today will not be looking at Ava's drawn face tomorrow, but at a reflection that radiates strength, joie de vivre and authenticity.
Key points at a glance
The number of influencers is growing rapidly, with a high burden on body and psyche.
“Ava” is a model that makes the long-term effects visible.
Typical consequences: hunched posture, skin problems, eye strain, lack of sleep, filler effects, hair loss.
Many symptoms already occur today.
Prevention is possible: breaks, sleep, exercise, skin care, stress reduction.
Health and balance are the basis — not trends or algorithms.
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