Paraguayan influencer Cintia Estay, known for the Vive Simple profile on TikTok, sparked debate by warning that popular “story time” videos can harm professional and academic opportunities. In a reflection posted on the platform, she said that “the internet never forgets” and that any content put out there can be used against the author in the future.
Estay said many young people share intimate stories in search of likes, comments and followers without considering the consequences. “I think all those very intimate anecdotes… I don’t know if it’s good to expose them on TikTok or any social platform, because what is exposed can never be recovered, it never becomes private again,” she stated.
The influencer stressed that recruiters, universities and scholarship committees can access this content even years later. She also noted that posts can be manipulated or misinterpreted by third parties, even when they contain nothing “bad.” “Everything we say matters in many areas,” she warned.
The video drew mixed reactions from followers. One comment said: “It’s often just for show. Besides, personal life shouldn’t interfere with professional life, much less academic life. What you’re saying is pretty narrow-minded.” Another user wrote: “Totally right. Even though it can attract followers, so much exposure is very dangerous.” Yet another weighed in: “Many disguise the idea of caring about their own image with ‘I don’t care what they say,’ but let’s be honest… it does matter, a lot. Your digital footprint lasts a lifetime.”
Estay’s warning reinforces the need for awareness about the risks of excessive exposure on social media, especially among young people seeking visibility without assessing the long-term implications.