LSU star Angel Reese sobbed during a postgame press conference after her Tigers lost to the popular Iowa Hawkeyes on April 1.
The famously outspoken “Bayou Barbie” complained bitterly about the backlash for her brashness on the basketball court. She decried the constant trolling she has been inundated with ever since LSU defeated the Player of the Year Caitlin Clark and these same Hawkeyes in last year’s collegiate national championship game.
Reese said her social media platforms have been deluged with hateful rhetoric, death threats and racist tropes. She added she’s been sexualized and objectified during the unrelenting toxicity that has caused her great mental anguish.
The dilemma for many celebrities and influencers is that they seem unwilling or unable to quit social media due to its highly addictive nature — it feeds the ego. Moreover, many marquee stars have monetized Instagram and TikTok and earn a very handsome living, while others use the surplus influx of cash to supplement their primary income.
But are the money and amplified fame worth your mental health?
Many studies state that overuse of social media can be detrimental, especially for young people
According to the National Institute of Health, there is a direct correlation between social media usage by minors and increased bouts of depression and suicidal ideation in adolescents.
The Social Media Victims Law Center cited a 10-year study at BYU that stated “teenage girls at age 13 who spent two to three hours daily on social media were at a higher risk for suicide as young adults.” Furthermore, the CDC stated the suicide rate for male teens increased by 31 percent between 2007 and 2015 and female teen suicides hit a 40-year high in 2015.
Another study in the United Kingdom found that 14-year-olds, especially girls, who experienced online harassment and poor sleep habits caused by sustained media use made them “more susceptible to depression and poor self-esteem.”
Young adults have proven not to be immune from this relatively new phenomenon, particularly athletes, musicians and influencers. Perhaps certain celebs should take a hiatus from social media, if not discard it entirely.
Celebs who should consider severing ties with social media
- Angel Reese: It was startling when the star LSU player admitted she has not experienced happiness since she won the women’s college championship game in April 2023. Given the vast majority of her interactions with fans happen via social media, it becomes obvious to some that the “Bayou Barbie” needs to take a hiatus — if not quit permanently — from the very platforms she loves in order to preserve her sanity and her soul.
- Lizzo: The Detroit-born singer has been constantly fighting with some of her “fan base” who have been highly critical — if not cruel — in fat-shaming her after she posts nude photos of herself or clad in skimpy outfits. Fans have also triggered Lizzo incessantly since she’s been sued by former backup dancers who allege sexual harassment.
- Doja Cat: The singer and rapper has gone to war with pop-culture fans on several occasions over her ethnicity and skillset. This last time, the Tarzan, California, native slammed users who said her natural locks resembled “pubic hair.” She often complains, but she won’t delete her accounts.
- Kanye West: These days, the College Dropout rapper resembles an out-of-control water spicket that sprays unpredictably in every direction. Not only is he sensitive to the public’s criticizing touch and reflexively strikes out with venomous intent, but he has been denounced for spewing antisemitic diatribes. He has also used his platforms to issue threats to his celebrity critics, including comedian D.L. Hughley. While he has quit IG and X in the past, he has always returned.
- Kevin Durant: One of the greatest shooters the NBA history has ever seen is also one of its most easily injured in terms of suffering a bruised ego. He was caught using fake X accounts to clap back at fans or to defend his basketball legacy when compared to the likes of LeBron James and Steph Curry.
If you or someone you know needs help, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 (TALK) or text or call the Suicide & Crisis Hotline at 988.
