for The New York Times: How Creators Are Facing Hateful Comments Head-On by José A. Alvarado Jr.

News

for The New York Times: How Creators Are Facing Hateful Comments Head-On

josé a. alvarado jr.

Sep 26, 2024

Location: New York, New York

Summary

Ignore vitriol, or turn it into content? Creators like Kacie Rose and Drew Afualo share their tips for dealing with a harsh comments section.

When Taylor Swift released the album “The Tortured Poets Department” in April, Kacie Rose, a creator who typically makes upbeat travel content, posted a video of herself listening to one of the songs.

The 15-second clip, which Ms. Rose posted to Instagram, showed her reaction: surprise and elation. She said she wanted to highlight “a cool part of the song,” and didn’t think much more about it.

But over the next few days, her video received a barrage of hateful comments, which attacked everything from her appearance to her mental health. “Reopen mental institutions,” one commenter wrote. “Worst humans to ever exist,” wrote another, apparently referring to her and Ms. Swift. There were predictions that Ms. Rose would be “alone forever” and even commands that she kill herself.

Photographed for The New York Times, with works by Melina Delkic

How Creators Are Facing Hateful Comments Head-On
Ignore vitriol, or turn it into content? Creators like Kacie Rose and Drew Afualo share their tips for dealing with a harsh comments section.
Nytimes.com

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José A. Alvarado Jr.

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