This week on Chronversations: Quonyel Shelton shares what it’s like to be a content creator on campus during election season

TRANSCRIPT:

0:08

Welcome back to Chronicle Conversations.

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I’m your host, Aaron Guzman.

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This week, I’m joined by Quonyel Shelton, who is a content creator on Columbia’s campus.

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She is a senior television major who is also a social media influencer that posts content about fashion, self-advocations and mental health.

0:27

Shelton talks about her experiences being a social media influencer as well as talking about how social media can be a useful tool in spreading awareness and useful information as well as talking through the many challenges that content creators face during an election.

0:43

Quonyel Shelton: As I mentioned, I do a lot within it.

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Of course, I am an advocate for multiple people so I showcase, use my platform to have a voice and give other people the chance to have a voice.

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I of course, did the strategic voting thing showcasing how it’s important to vote, especially with our generation and how it affects us in the future.

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I just showcase like my talents throughout that but also encouraging people to get out and do self love and mental health practices.

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Years before I didn’t really like practice self love and you know, the importance of it and knowing that I have a voice.

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So after I found out that I have a voice and start practicing these things, I wanted to share with other people.

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That’s what I use my platform to do with now.

1:20

Aaron Guzman: Shelton also talks us through the process of posting certain content in the midst of an election as well as informing many people about what they can do to avoid misinformation of an election through social media.

1:36

Quonyel Shelton: It is OK, of course, to share your authentic self.

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But sometimes you don’t want to share too much, especially when it’s valuable information that could either cause you to get in trouble or just cause for anything but just knowing what to share and what not to share and also knowing that your content is valuable, it doesn’t have to be like everyone else’s.

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I believe a lot of us creators, we struggle with that.

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I struggle with it myself trying to figure out what type of creator I wanted it to be, especially when you’re involved in so many things.

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I believe it is very important to do your research.

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Because there could be a lot of miscommunication and misunderstanding throughout social media, 

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Especially with social media, we’re fed so much so fast.

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So it’s just like you don’t really know what to believe until you fully do your research.

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So before putting out content and especially being a creator, knowing that you have that influence, make sure that you do your research and know exactly what each candidate provides.

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Don’t maybe just focus on one candidate and not really know the full story of each candidate.

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And also think about not only what that candidate means to you and how it affects you and your personal life, but how it will affect others.

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So just thinking about your values and the importance of your future before putting out anything on social media.

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That’s all for this week.

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Make sure to stay up to date with campus and Metro news at columbiachronicle.com and sign up for our newsletter at columbiachronicle.com/newsletter.

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Don’t forget to check out our new Three C’S podcast where we give credible information to the Columbia community.

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I’m Aaron Guzman.

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Thanks for listening.