If his name doesn’t mean anything to you, it’s probably because you’re over thirty. Ophenya, an influencer with 4.9 million subscribers on TikTok and 735,000 on Instagram, was pinned at the beginning of the month by socialist MP Arthur Delaporte, as spotted BFMTV. He accuses it of exercising “control” over its subscribers, mostly minors, and evokes possible “sectarian practices”.
The MP, who last year introduced the bill aimed at regulating the practices of influencers, spoke this time as part of the examination of a bill aimed at strengthening the fight against sectarian abuses. In front of his colleagues in the National Assembly, he denounced the “numerous” examples of “sectarian practices on social networks” and then mentioned the name of Ophenya.
A hold on a very young community
“I am regularly told of the influence she can have on her very young community. College girls, college boys, women, ‘Bgnyas’ [le nom de ses fans] who can behave in ways that are devastating to their self-esteem and self-confidence,” he explained in the chamber. He notably cited a few examples, including gift giving on TikTok, a compulsive presence on the social networks of the influencer over very long hours, an “exacerbated sense of belonging” and “pack behavior towards fans who would leave the community.
The influencer, who defines herself as a “Cupid 4.0” has, since registering in 2020 on TikTok, created very close links with a community made up of many young minors. She also regularly organizes physical meetings with them. An influence which now worries the authorities. According to BFMTV, Miviludes has received reports concerning the TikToker, which are being processed.