Apoorva Makhija, the popular social media influencer known as “The Rebel Kid,” has once again become the focus of online discourse, but this time, it’s for a deeply troubling reason. In her recent Instagram posts, Makhija courageously revealed the torrent of death and rape threats she has been receiving online, following a brief hiatus from the platform.
The 23-year-old influencer, with a fanbase of 3 million followers, took a break from Instagram, deleting all her previous posts after a period of intense harassment. The decision to leave social media temporarily came shortly after YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia returned online, following the controversy surrounding Samay Raina’s participation in India’s Got Latent. However, Makhija’s return to the platform has sparked both outrage and support, as she publicly exposed the disturbing abuse she faced during her time away.
In her first post after her return, Makhija shared a disturbing collage of threats and hateful messages she had received from anonymous accounts. The images displayed a variety of violent comments, many containing sexually explicit language, rape threats, and even suggestions of acid attacks. “And that’s not even 1%,” she wrote, highlighting the overwhelming volume of such messages.
The sheer intensity of these threats has drawn widespread attention to the toxic environment that female content creators, especially those who speak out or express strong opinions, face in the online space. Several comments went as far as to suggest harm not only to her but to her family as well, creating a dangerous atmosphere of fear and intimidation.
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Many of these vile comments came from users with little or no identifiable information, a tactic often seen in digital mobs who operate under the cover of anonymity. This digital harassment has become a recurring theme for women who occupy public spaces, making their voices heard online.
While the threats and harassment have been deeply disturbing, Makhija’s decision to expose them has drawn a wave of support from her followers and fellow content creators. Many praised her strength and resilience in the face of such adversity.
Scoopwhoop, a prominent media outlet, shared words of encouragement, stating, “It takes strength to have lived through something like this, Apoorva, and you’ve got it. You don’t deserve this, no one does. Come back stronger.” This sentiment was echoed by food vlogger Kuljyoti Dhingra, who expressed disbelief over the cruelty of the messages, saying, “This is so heartbreaking, I don’t know how people can say such nasty things about someone.”
The online community rallied around Makhija, with many voicing their disapproval of the harassment she faced. One user questioned, “So where’s Cyber security and police now?” echoing the growing frustration over the lack of accountability for online harassment. Another user simply wrote, “Welcome back Apoorva. Nobody, NOBODY deserves this! More power to you!”
The situation also raised larger questions about online safety and the lack of adequate response from authorities. Writer Devaiah Bopanna, in his response, commented, “This image is worth a thousand FIRs. But they’ll file the one that isn’t worth filing,” pointing out the discrepancy in the treatment of such cases.
The question of how women can feel safe online in such an environment has been repeatedly raised. Makhija’s close friend, Rida Tharana, criticized the unjust cruelty that led to her friend’s distress. Tharana asked, “How can women feel safe when this is the reality they face for simply existing online?”
In February, Makhija made the difficult decision to unfollow everyone on Instagram after receiving death threats. This was a stark reminder of the personal toll that online harassment can take on individuals.
Makhija’s story is not an isolated incident, but part of a troubling trend of online abuse targeting women. It underscores the urgent need for a more robust framework for addressing digital violence and harassment. As Makhija continues to speak out, the hope is that her bravery will inspire others to challenge this toxic culture and push for greater accountability in the digital world.
In the face of these challenges, Makhija’s message is clear: she will not be silenced. With an outpouring of support behind her, it’s evident that the online community stands firmly in solidarity with her. “More power to you,” wrote one supporter, encapsulating the widespread sentiment that women deserve respect and safety in both the real and virtual worlds.