Modern teenagers spend much time learning about favourite celebrities, their likes and dislikes, public behaviour, and others; they are much centred on happenings and scandals in the lives of their idols. However, sometimes increased interest to celebrities may develop into real obsession. Many teenagers do not have anything interesting in their lives; therefore, they begin to look at a celebrity’s life to add adventures to their own, which is very often the way of getting acceptance at school or other surroundings. Teenagers believe that awareness of the pop culture idol’s dirt and trend makes them more popular among their peers. In general, celebrities may have both positive and negative influence on teenagers. It is natural that teenagers are celebrity fans and tracers; however, it is essential to make them aware of the negative influences of such fanaticism.

Teenagers should realize that public and private lives of celebrities may be completely different. In their turn, pop culture idols should be very careful about what they say and do in the public because they know that their words or actions influence young fans who may mindlessly follow them. Thus, celebrities can be anti-drug ambassadors, environmental ambassadors, ethical behaviour promoters, they may increase teenager’s self-esteem, and bring a healthy message. Besides, some celebrities may provide mental support to teenagers, promote social justice, and participate in relief efforts in case of disasters. Also, they demonstrate integrity in their personal and professional lives.

Celebrities also influence the teenagers when they promote cultural and educational awareness. Pop culture idols that have good education, interest in literature, politics, writing books, travelling, and constant intellectual development set a good example for their followers. In this way, they show that the inner world plays far more essential role in life than just outward appearance. Celebrities who speak about college graduation and advantages of staying at school demonstrate teenagers that education and intellectual skills count. Thus, it would be a good practice if every teenager who has problems at school was supported and encouraged by a celebrity he or she likes because teens have a great need of the realization of educational value for career promotion, social status, and others. As teenagers tend not to listen to the advice of their parents they may become interested in learning because their favourite celebrity promotes it.

Therefore, it is evident that pop culture idols can have a positive influence on teenagers by setting a good example; for instance, some of them are involved in humanitarian efforts, others show high level of intellectual skills, actively encourage law obedience, relationship honouring, and others. There are celebrities who promote a positive self-image which helps teenagers to deal with their self-esteem issues. In addition, following celebrities becomes a hobby for many young people; hence, some teens are the fans of the stars for entertainment purposes.

However, being a fan of famous people may have negative impact on the life of teenagers. One of the disadvantages of such state is buying loads of stuff about their favourite celebrity, for example, concert tickets, gifts, posters, and others, which inevitably leads to the waste of money. Besides, an unhealthy obsession can lead to the increased connection to the celebrity as many young people want to be aware of the latest news about their adored idols. As a result, they become extremely dependent on the Internet and social networking sites, which may lead to the teenagers’ negligence of schoolwork. Therefore, celebrity obsession and fanaticism result in the waste of money on unnecessary things as well as to the waste of time.

Moreover, celebrities with bad reputation and behaviour may create the image that is eagerly followed by teenagers. At this age, young people want to be independent, rebellious and try as many harmful for their health things as possible. Therefore, they choose a celebrity with a negative image and do their best to follow the idol: they may consume the same drugs, represent violence, disrespect, and even become involved in criminal activities. Therefore, teenagers, being not that responsible and considerate, may become addicted to alcohol, drugs, and other substances.

According to Northam (2011), celebrities have a negative influence on females most often as they are more interested in famous stars. Many celebrities endorse the usage of different beauty products and encourage women, female teenagers, in particular, to look and act in the same way. However, the good looks image portrayed by a celebrity may hardly be achievable; besides, not all young girls are able to understand it. As a result of the pessimistic perception of their bodies image, they experience disappointment, despair, and even depression leading to numerous diseases, including psychological.

Hence, the potentially harmful impact on female teenagers is the pressure to look in the same way as celebrities. Teenagers often become embarrassed and self-conscious due to their body changes. As a result, they begin copying their favourite celebrities and forget about their own identities. Therefore, the fans change the colour of their hair, experiment with new makeup trends, and others. Trying to be skinny and perfect like the beloved celebrities, teenagers do not realize the harm and negative outcomes of the debilitating diets and workouts. Some teenagers even dream about plastic surgery and pursue the idea or transforming into their favourite celebrities till the adulthood not realizing that plastic surgery eliminates their own personality and negatively influences their health. Thus, transformations, plastic surgery, diets, and blind following of the celebrities’ way of life may cause disastrous outcomes to the physical and psychological health of teenagers.

Hence, pop culture idols can create a fictional reality that becomes desirable to the teenagers who are vulnerable to media objectifications. Some teenagers tend to listen to the words of their favourite celebrities rather than their parents. Socialization of a peer group has an immense power over teenagers as it influences not only their self-esteem, but also body image. Moreover, self-criticism has become an inevitable part of celebrity tracing.