Practice English with NewsPractice with News
EntertainmentPolitics329 words3 min read

Influencer Refuses to Buy Candy from Boy, Asks Him to Make Political Sign

yellow green and red plastic beads
Photo by Amit Lahav on Unsplash
0:00 / 0:00

Listen to the story

A video filmed in Fortaleza, Brazil, has sparked widespread criticism after an influencer was seen refusing to buy candy from a boy with autism.

In the footage, which quickly spread across social media, the woman is shown asking the boy a question related to politics before he could complete his sale.

She then instructed him to make the "L" sign with his hand, a gesture that has become associated with certain political groups in Brazil.

After the boy made the sign, the influencer refused to purchase the candy he was selling, according to the report.

No further explanation for her decision was given in the video, leaving many viewers confused and upset by her behavior.

The boy, who has autism—a condition that can affect communication and social interaction—was reportedly caught off guard by the unexpected request.

Autism is known to make certain social situations, such as unscripted questions, more challenging for those who have it.

Once the video circulated online, it generated a strong backlash against the influencer.

Many internet users accused her of exploiting the boy for political purposes and showing a lack of empathy toward a child with a disability.

Critics also argued that combining a political ideology test with a simple commercial exchange was inappropriate, particularly given the boy's vulnerability.

The incident has reignited broader conversations in Brazil about how influencers use their platforms and influence, especially when interacting with children or vulnerable individuals.

Some commentators pointed out that the growing trend of politically charged content on social media can have real consequences for ordinary people caught in the middle.

As of now, the influencer has not issued any public statement addressing the backlash or explaining her actions during the encounter.

It remains unclear whether she will respond to the criticism or whether any formal consequences will follow the viral incident.

The story continues to circulate widely, with many using it as an example of the ethical questions surrounding influencer culture and public accountability online.

Vocabulary7 words

influencer
a person famous on social media who affects others' opinions
autism
a condition affecting communication and social behavior
politics
activities related to government and power
refused
declined to do something
backlash
a strong negative reaction from many people
ideology
a set of political or social beliefs
incident
an event, often unexpected or troubling

📚 Ready to use these words in a real conversation?

Practice live with a real tutor on Preply.

Preply — learn a language with a live tutor

Quiz

1. What triggered the widespread criticism of the influencer?
2. According to the article, why might the boy have found the situation especially difficult?
3. True or False: The influencer publicly explained her actions after the video went viral.

✅ Nice work on the quiz!

Keep the momentum going — book a live English lesson with a Preply tutor.

Preply — learn a language with a live tutor

Discussion questions

  1. What ethical responsibilities do influencers have when interacting with vulnerable individuals, such as children with disabilities?
  2. How does the mixing of politics and everyday social interactions affect public discourse, based on this incident?
  3. Why might society react so strongly to content involving children on social media?
  4. Should there be clearer rules or accountability for influencers whose actions go viral for negative reasons? Why or why not?

🎓 Enjoyed this story?

Turn today's reading into real speaking practice with a live Preply tutor.

Preply — learn a language with a live tutor

More Entertainment stories