25M had to delete mom's (51F) IG account after reels backlash

[Gopal]

To keep it simple, my mom is an influencer. She works full‑time and runs an Instagram page with about 8K followers, sharing lifestyle content. Lots of women follow her for her routine, fashion sense and overall vibe. (We're probably upper‑middle class, if that matters.)

Recently we went on a family trip to Phuket - me, my sister, my parents and mom. Mom wanted new outfits for the trip, so she contacted a beachwear brand on Instagram for a collab. They agreed to a barter: they'd send outfits for Mom and my sister in exchange for posts.

The brand asked for measurements and sent a fully curated package - roughly eight outfits each, including bikinis, all quite pricey on their website. Mom and my sister were a bit hesitant but tried a few modest pieces and posted reels tagging the brand. The brand was happy and reposted them. Then they asked if they'd be comfortable trying the bikinis and posting reels/stories. No pressure was applied.

Both felt okay, wore three‑four bikinis with cover‑ups, and posted two reels. The brand reposted those reels, and they racked up over a million views in less than two days. That's where things went south.

Because of the huge reach, strangers started commenting and DM‑ing nasty stuff at Mom and my sister. Some even found my account, dug up my sister's college details, and even my mom's workplace. The harassment became unbearable.

We three ended up deleting our Instagram accounts. We asked the brand to take down the reels and they complied, but the whole experience was intense. I had no idea being an influencer in India could be this scary. Life feels really unsafe now.

[Mayank]

Sorry, people can be really terrible, OP.

[Akshara]

Wait, I don't get it. What exactly are they shaming you for?

[Chandni]

Welcome to India.

[Shivam]

Man, I'm really sorry you had to go through that.

[Atharv]

People here are so backward... they can't accept someone just enjoying their life.

[Devendra]

People will do anything but mind their own damn business. This is what happens when the country is full of such creepy, pathetic and uneducated incels. How unemployed do you have to be to hate on women you're not even related to? Digging up their whole life details is ridiculous. I wish nothing but hell for them. Take care, OP. It's sad how much women have to sacrifice just for basic safety. The state of the world is disgusting.

[Prakash]

Freedom isn't cheap; you need a thick skin if you want it.

[Priya]

People can be terrible, especially keyboard warriors. I hope your mother is doing fine; she must have put a lot of effort into that page.

[Sachin]

In India, these incels overreact to a woman's body.

[Anirudh]

I'm a 51‑year‑old female. If your mom is comfortable sharing her body at her age, more power to her. It's sad she had to face all that.