Social media and fandom can become a very toxic mix. Some of this reminds me of another case, detailed in a series:
I’m afraid that it’s all too common. For some professionals in the public eye, I’ve seen controls on their contact with fans/supporters. It’s usually handled by an agency, but what fans see is a clear message about how to recognize official or “real” communication. That filters out a lot and helps fans defend themselves, too.
Using a third party also insulates those in the spotlight from the worst of the content from haters, scammers, and schemers. I used to do that job for a politician. IMO, it’s worth the investment for security and peace of mind. There are ways to protect your personal information and secure interactions with fans, customers, clients, constituents, etc.
Unfortunately, a lot of people believe that it’s simple so they try to do it themselves. One issue is setting boundaries and another is volume. When people are just starting out, they should consider how much to reveal as well as the time and effort it takes to manage contact. Over the years we’ve heard about celebs with a completely different persona IRL. This is why they need one, but when it makes the news I hope they have others that they keep to themselves.
Every time I read about a woman in politics or another prominent position who quits because of online threats, I ask why/how they saw it in the first place. It is avoidable, but it’s a choice to make it so. It’s something that has to be managed, or it can quickly spiral out of control.
