Social media influencers have become powerful voices in the lives of teenagers, with many of them shaping trends, lifestyles, and even spending habits. According to a 2023 study conducted by the Pew Research Center, 75% of teens say they follow at least one influencer, and 60% admit that influencers have influenced their purchases. But is this trend empowering young consumers or exploiting them?

Question

Proponents argue that influencers provide relatable content and recommendations, helping teens discover products that suit their interests. "I always trust influencers because they actually try the products and give honest reviews," said 16-year-old Jamie Li. "I’ve found some great skincare products thanks to them."
However, critics believe the phenomenon is problematic. "Many influencers are paid to promote products, and their followers often don’t realize it," said Dr. Karen Mitchell, a media literacy expert at Stanford University. "This blurs the line between genuine recommendations and advertisements."
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requires influencers to disclose paid promotions, but enforcement can be inconsistent. A recent report from Consumer Watchdog found that nearly 40% of influencer posts fail to include clear disclosure tags like #ad or #sponsored.
Some teens are beginning to question the authenticity of influencer culture. "I’ve bought things because of influencers, and they didn’t live up to the hype," said 17-year-old Alex Carter. "Now I’m more careful about trusting their opinions." As brands continue to rely on influencers to target younger audiences, experts urge teens to think critically about the content they consume. Dr. Mitchell advises, "Always check if an influencer is being transparent about their partnerships. It’s crucial to separate genuine opinions from marketing strategies."
Whether influencers are empowering or exploiting teens depends largely on how mindful young consumers are about their media habits. With social media becoming increasingly saturated with sponsored content, awareness is more important than ever.

Using the article, "Are Influencers Shaping Teen Spending Habits" by Sarah Greene, identify which sentences have LOADED WORDS. **Be sure to put the response in the order they appear in the article.

Answer 1

Here are the sentences from the article that contain loaded words, in the order they appear:

1. "Social media influencers have become powerful voices in the lives of teenagers, with many of them shaping trends, lifestyles, and even spending habits."
2. "But is this trend empowering young consumers or exploiting them?"
3. "However, critics believe the phenomenon is problematic."
4. "This blurs the line between genuine recommendations and advertisements."
5. "Some teens are beginning to question the authenticity of influencer culture."
6. "Now I’m more careful about trusting their opinions."
7. "As brands continue to rely on influencers to target younger audiences, experts urge teens to think critically about the content they consume."
8. "With social media becoming increasingly saturated with sponsored content, awareness is more important than ever."