After the untimely death of 24-year-old content creator Misha Agrawal by suicide, and the alarming revelations that followed, experts and experienced creators unpack the tangled world of social media fame, in the concluding part of our series on navigating fame at a young age
Misha Agrawal
On March 14, the Union Government announced a $1 billion fund to support digital content creation in India, labelling it a thriving hub for the content creator ecosystem. On April 24, Misha Agrawal, a 24-year-old lifestyle content creator, died by suicide; succumbing to a toxic byproduct of this ecosystem that was lurking behind those tall numbers. “My little baby sister had built her world around Instagram and her followers, with a single goal of reaching 1 million followers and gaining loving fans. When her followers started decreasing, she became distraught and felt worthless,” her sister said in an official statement after Misha’s death.
Misha Agrawal's phone wallpaper shows her goal of amassing one million followers. Pics courtesy/themishaagrawalshow on Instagram
In the first part of our series on the young and the famous featuring cricketing prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, experts underlined the crucial role parents and elders play in helping young achievers navigate fame. But what happens when the fame comes from a world that parents can barely grasp, experts are only beginning to study, and the creators themselves don’t fully understand?
The new cool
“Almost every class I teach has four to five students who tell me they want to become influencers,” says Sayalee Natu, who teaches a media course at ML Dahanukar College, Vile Parle. “It’s just a repackaged version of wanting to have the biggest friend group back in school. The platform has changed, but the instinct is the same. In some ways, it has actually made popularity more accessible,” she remarks.
Taking a simple test with friends or family can help the individual feel comfortable
Who doesn’t like a few extra likes on a new post? The key to riding the wave of this newfound attention, Natu suggests, is to remember that your followers are not your friends. And they aren’t your enemies either. “The term ‘followers’ is a tad misleading. They are merely your audience that wants to consume the product you create. Expecting them to behave like real-life friends is setting yourself up for disappointment. But on the bright side, it also means you don’t owe them anything more than your work,” she says.
Sayalee Natu
Algorithm is king
Easier said than done, agrees cyber psychologist Nirali Bhatia, who specialises in social media and internet addiction. “Instagram is engineered for attraction, interaction, and ultimately addiction. New features like one that now allows you to hide your like count are ineffective afterthoughts,” she reveals. According to Bhatia, the platform’s algorithm traps creators in a dopamine-fuelled loop, where a reel that does well is soon followed by one that flops, keeping them constantly chasing the next hit. “It’s a lot like playing a slot machine at a casino. You’re always waiting for the next big win.”
Nirali Bhatia
Based on her experience with young clients, Bhatia recommends using a checklist along with small, practical solutions as a gentler way to help them recognise the problem. “You can’t just tell a young creator that something is wrong. They take it as criticism and stop listening. But if you notice signs like constant irritability, a strong attachment to their phone, or sudden mood swings, hand them a simple checklist or better yet, take the test together. It encourages self-reflection without making them feel judged,” she says.
Strike a balance between online and real-life relationships to steer clear of overdependence on social media. Representation pics/istock
1 Too obsessed with insights?
The insights section on social media apps dives into your performance in great detail like reach, impressions, shares and performance over time. Some amount of anxiety is healthy to drive performance. But don’t let it become an obsession.
2 Is there over-consumption?
This constant anxiety often comes not from creating too much, but from watching others succeed. Try to knowingly cut down the time you spend checking out other people’s pages. Instead, redirect that energy towards your own growth.
3 Is my feed healthy?
It’s easy to build an echo chamber where your niche becomes your whole world. Keep refreshing your chosen interests on the app and use the feed reset feature if needed to avoid getting stuck in a loop.
4 Am I filling a void?
Ask yourself if the likes and comments are becoming a stand-in for real connection. Online validation feels good, but it’s no replacement for affirmation from people who actually know you. While the checklist serves as a useful first step, Bhatia maintains that professional help is ultimately the most effective path forward. “There’s a lingering stigma around the issue, which is why most young clients are brought in by their parents,” she observes. As for those who seek help on their own, they usually do it when the problem has already taken a serious toll on their personal life. “I wish they feel comfortable to seek help sooner,” she signs off.
I wish I knew...
Content creators who have found the balance share vital lessons
Deepak Pareek, 347k followers
Every creator has at some point stayed up till 3 am in tears, has dealt with breakdowns, and questioned everything. That uncertainty comes with the fact that sometimes your income depends on your numbers. I always remind myself that the freebies, the invites and the spotlight all come at a cost. And there’s a point beyond which I’m just not willing to pay for it. It is unfortunate that right now there are no real mentors, roadmaps, or guides to follow in an industry that is so nascent. If it’s getting too much for you, always remember that it is okay to walk away from the profession; don’t walk away from life.
Akshada Patil, 270k followers
We must come to terms with the fact that numbers can fluctuate for many reasons, most of them beyond our control. If I start pandering to the algorithm, my content loses its authenticity and ironically, that’s when it stops doing well anyway. I wish someone had told me to focus on myself instead of looking outwards. Real growth, and subsequent joy comes when you focus on your own voice, your pace, and your purpose.
Suicide helplines
Asara (24x7)
98204 66726
Languages: Hindi and English
Snehi (10 am to 10 pm)
93768 04102
Languages: English, Hindi and Marathi
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