Haters Gonna Hate

Tempestuous Twitter threads and fierce Facebook feuds – most of us have witnessed or experienced online bullying. We asked Russian bloggers with millions of followers why they think people are so aggressive these days. 

With the proliferation of smartphones, anyone on social media can become a victim of cyberbullying. Internet trolls resort to name-calling, sending explicit images, spreading rumors and making threats. Anonymity, distance from their target and virtual unaccountability emboldens the hands of online bullies. 

The Covid-19 pandemic has also contributed to the growth of aggression in society. The bloggers we spoke to say online bullying made them feel depressed at first, but they learned to ignore it. However, cyberbullying can lead to psychological and physical problems, like depression, anxiety, and sleep and eating disorders. Teenagers who experience bullying are especially vulnerable. 

Bloggers Mila Levchuk, Natasha Krasnova, Doctor AnnaMama, and Vika Dmitrieva share their personal stories about dealing with online hate. With millions of Instagram followers, they get messages every day criticizing the way they look, talk, and what they do and don’t do.

Watch "Haters Gonna Hate" on RTD website and on RT's live feed. The time of the broadcast is available on RT's schedule page.