Kim Kardashian supports hiding IG likes, says money from paid posts benefit prison reform work

Kim Kardashian voiced support for Instagram’s initiative to remove like counts. Image: Invision/Evan Agostini via AP

Kim Kardashian and her family have changed the landscape of internet fame, with the Kardashian-Jenners owning some of the most followed Instagram accounts in the world. Kardashian is the sixth-most followed Instagram user globally with 151 million followers to her name.

The reality show star and entrepreneur has harnessed the power of the internet to rake in cash. One Instagram post to endorse a product can cost up to $500,000 (P25.2 million), Business Insider reported last May.

READ: Kardashian sisters called out by actress Jameela Jamil for endorsing weight-loss shakes

Kardashian discussed how she decides when to take on endorsements and the impact social media can have on how people think and feel in a talk at the New York Times Dealbook Conference on Wednesday, Nov. 6. Joining her was mom Kris Jenner.

“I think about when I raise my kids and screen time, phone time, what to post, what not to post, even posting things in real time,” she said.

She voiced support for Instagram’s initiative to remove like counts, which is tested in a few countries.  “As far as mental health, I mean it’s something that taking the likes away and taking that aspect away from it would be really beneficial for people. And I know that the Instagram team has been having lots of inner conversations with a bunch of people to get everyone’s take on that and is taking it really seriously. That makes me happy.”

Kardashian said she has taken paid posts when she “overspends” and that she has viewed how money can work differently since she got involved with prison-reform work.  

READ: At White House, Kim Kardashian promotes prisoner reentry effort

“Now it’s a little bit more personal for me. If I have a paid post that comes in and I think, ‘O.K., well this can fund x amount of people that are behind bars, that can help free them with simple legal fees that they just can’t afford, then that would be worth it to me, even if the post might be a little bit off-brand for me.’ I really weigh out different things now than I used to,” she disclosed.

Kardashian has been devoting time to study law through a four-year law apprenticeship. She hopes to take the bar in 2022 to become a lawyer, Vogue reported in April.

The celebrity played a crucial role in freeing Alice Marie Johnson, who at 63 was serving life without parole for a first-time drug offense. Kardashian managed to meet with US President Donald Trump who granted Johnson clemency.

She said in the conference that she hopes to start her own law firm and hire prisoners, citing that “they know the law better than most lawyers.” Niña V. Guno /ra

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