In the age of digital everything, the way people learn about investing has radically changed. Gone are the days when financial advice came solely from certified professionals in suits behind desk phones. Today, platforms like YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Reddit are buzzing with investment tips, crypto hot takes, and “get-rich-quick” schemes — often coming from self-proclaimed experts with no formal credentials. While the democratization of financial education is a positive shift, there’s a growing risk that many retail investors are unknowingly following unregulated advice that could cost them much more than a bad investment.
L'influenza degli influenzatori finanziari
In 2023, over 50% of Gen Z and Millennials in the U.S. admitted they take financial advice from social media — a trend mirrored across Europe and increasingly visible in Italy too. A TikTok video offering 30-second investment “hacks” can easily reach millions of viewers. These influencers often promote ideas with high confidence and slick visuals, giving their audience a false sense of trust. But here’s the problem: many of them are not regulated, meaning they don’t face the same rules as licensed financial advisors. That lack of accountability opens the door to misinformation, hype, and in some cases, outright scams.
Prendiamo, ad esempio, il boom delle azioni dei meme e dei token crittografici come Dogecoin o Shiba Inu. Mentre alcuni primi investitori hanno tratto profitto, molti sono entrati in gioco troppo tardi, spinti dalla FOMO (fear of missing out) online, per poi perdere ingenti somme di denaro. Questi eventi sottolineano come la mentalità del gregge e i consigli non filtrati possano portare a risultati pericolosi.
Perché la regolamentazione è importante
I consulenti finanziari e i gestori patrimoniali autorizzati sono vincolati da standard legali e obblighi etici. Nell'Unione Europea, i professionisti devono aderire alla normativa MiFID II, assicurandosi di comprendere il profilo di rischio, la situazione finanziaria e gli obiettivi a lungo termine dell'utente prima di raccomandare investimenti. Al contrario, un anonimo Redditor o un account Instagram che propone idee di investimento non ha questo obbligo.
Unregulated advice also often lacks nuance. An influencer might say, “I bought Tesla and it doubled — you should too.” But they won’t tell you about their portfolio allocation, time horizon, or whether that trade fit their overall risk profile. Following this kind of advice without context is like driving with someone else’s glasses — the world might look clearer to them, but you could crash.
Bandiere rosse comuni da tenere d'occhio
While not all online content is harmful, it’s crucial to develop a critical eye. Be cautious of:
- Promises of guaranteed returns (“make 20% a month with this strategy”).
- Promozione insistente di asset o piattaforme specifiche, spesso legata a commissioni di affiliazione.
- Gli influencer non hanno trasparenza sui propri investimenti.
- Overuse of hype words like “exploding stock,” “moonshot,” or “hidden gem.”
Il costo dei cattivi consigli
It’s hard to quantify exactly how much money is lost due to poor financial advice from unregulated sources. However, the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) estimates that social media scams cost British consumers over £250 million annually. Globally, investment scams are among the top financial frauds reported, often exploiting economic uncertainty and people’s hopes for quick returns.
Navigare in sicurezza tra i consigli online
This doesn’t mean you should ignore online financial content altogether. In fact, many creators offer valuable insights, education, and market commentary. The key is to treat this content as inspiration, not instruction.
Effettuate un controllo incrociato di qualsiasi consiglio di investimento con fonti affidabili. Utilizzate i siti ufficiali del governo o delle autorità di regolamentazione, come la CONSOB in Italia o l'Autorità europea degli strumenti finanziari e dei mercati (ESMA), per verificare la legittimità. Se qualcosa sembra troppo bello per essere vero, di solito lo è.
Moreover, consider using online content as a supplement — not a substitute — for building your financial literacy. Learn the basics, question bold claims, and when possible, consult with a qualified advisor before making significant moves with your money.
Pensare in modo critico, investire con saggezza
In a world of viral content and trending hashtags, your financial future shouldn’t be decided by algorithms or likes. As a retail investor, especially if you’re just starting out, protecting your capital is as important as growing it. That means taking the time to filter signal from noise, and making choices that align with your personal goals, not someone else’s hype reel. Because when the likes fade, the consequences of poor decisions stick around — and they’re all yours to deal with.
