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People vs. Karen, Part 4: What Exactly Is A 'Mominfluencer'?
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Defendant Katie Sorensen, left, listens to her defense attorney Charles Dresow during the first day of her trial in Sonoma County Superior Court in Santa Rosa on Tuesday, April 18, 2023.
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Christopher Chung
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The Press Democrat
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Topline:
In the final episode of Imperfect Paradise: People vs Karen, we dive into the prosecutor's legal strategy — that Katie Sorensen was an influencer who fabricated a sensational story to go viral. We also explore how "mominfluencers" make money — and sometimes spread misinformation.
Where did mominfluencers come from? They began as mommy bloggers in the early 2000s who primarily wrote about the dark/un-sunny sides of motherhood. Then they took to Instagram and became more image-oriented — and picture perfect.
How do mominfluencers make money? Through sponsored posts and affiliate links that they entice their audience to click/purchase by creating a parasocial bond — the feeling that you really know this person and therefore trust her recommendations.
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How do some of them spread disinformation? "I think it's really easy for mothers to disseminate [conspiracy theories] in ways that, like, screaming men on 4chan cannot," said Sara Petersen, author of Momfluenced: Inside the Maddening, Picture-Perfect World of Mommy Influencer Culture. "I mean, I trust this woman to recommend child-friendly dinner recipes. Like maybe there's something to it."
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