The shocking suicide of young content creator Misha Agarwal has sent ripples across the digital world, raising troubling questions about the mental health toll of internet fame
Content creator Misha Agarwal’s death left her followers and online communities reeling. In a deeply emotional note, her sister revealed that Misha — just two days away from turning 25 — took her life, reportedly distressed over a drop in her follower count. She had built her identity around hitting one million followers on Instagram, and any dip in numbers caused her severe emotional turmoil.
Her story has reignited a crucial conversation: Is the pressure to grow an online audience pushing content creators to the edge?
Important to stay grounded
Devarakonda Varaprasad, founder of the popular YouTube channel Prasadtechintelugu with 4.78 million subscribers, believes that the impact of numbers depends on one’s mindset. “If you’re constantly checking numbers and chasing growth, it can get stressful fast. But if you focus on making content that feels real and meaningful, the pressure eases up. When you care about what you’re creating and connect with your audience, the numbers tend to follow naturally.”
Meenakshi Pamnani DB, whose Instagram handle theshimmergirl has 208k followers, shares a similar perspective. “What happened with Misha is really sad and I understand that everyone is trying to make it here, given how popular this has become with an increasing demand and the money generated out of it. But numbers don’t entirely decide how successful you are. You can have the highest number of followers but quality of content is what makes a brand want to work with you. Every other person these days is trying really hard to make it but a lot of them think this is just a matter of followers, but unless you find a niche and you are very good at it those numbers wouldn’t even matter.”
But with online platforms becoming primary spaces for self-expression and recognition, is the boundary between online and real identities growing dangerously thin? Varaprasad, one of India’s top tech reviewers, acknowledges the blurring line.
“It can feel that way at times, but it’s important to stay grounded. No matter how big your digital presence becomes, you have to remember where you started and who you are beyond the screen. Staying humble and self-aware helps maintain balance in both your online and offline life.”
Self-worth linked to ‘likes’
Dr. Mazher Ali, Senior Consultant Psychiatrist at CARE Hospitals, highlights how the digital world can distort young minds’ sense of self-worth. “Misha Agarwal’s passing is deeply heart-breaking. It brings to light something we’re seeing more and more in young people today — the pressure to look perfect and feel accepted online. Social media has become such a big part of their lives that many start tying their self-worth to likes, comments, and followers. When those numbers drop, it can feel like rejection, even though it’s not personal.”
He stresses the need for supportive environments where mental health is openly discussed. “We want to remind both youngsters and their families, your value doesn’t come from social media. It comes from who you are, your relationships, and the way you feel about yourself offline. Let’s keep talking to our children, listening to them without judgment, and creating safe spaces where they know it’s okay to not be okay.”
