The double-edged sword of fame: An influencer's battle with social media toxicity
For Sairiya, navigating this digital realm has been a journey of resilience, self-discovery and empowerment.

SOCIAL media is an ever-present force in our lives, offering endless opportunities but also acting as a breeding ground for negativity and toxicity.
Overconsumption of these platforms often comes at a significant cost, leading to mental health challenges and a pervasive sense of toxicity.
For 29-year-old content creator and social media influencer, M Periyanayaki Murugiah, better known as Sairiya, navigating this digital realm has been a journey of resilience, self-discovery and empowerment.
"From the beginning, I told myself not to dwell on the negative comments or hatred I receive online.
"I’ve faced criticism since childhood, so I’ve built a certain level of mental stability but there were moments when it got overwhelming," she said in an interview with Sinar Daily.
One such moment she recalled was when her followers began commenting on her personal life.
"It wasn’t just about my work anymore, people started giving unsolicited opinions about my problems.
"I broke down and cried a lot during that time, but I stood up strong and focused on my job," she shared.
Despite these challenges, Sairiya has chosen to transform her struggles into a source of empowerment for others.
She actively uses her platform not just to showcase her life but to inspire her audience to embrace their individuality and independence.
"One positive message I always emphasise is that as women, we can live alone, be independent and live beautifully.
"I’ve talked about this in many of my posts and live sessions," she said.
With over 350,000 followers on Instagram, Sairiya spends almost half of her day on social media, which is both a necessity and a challenge.
"Social media is a toxic platform in many ways, but it’s also a place where we can learn and grow. It’s all about how you use it.
"Through social media, you can upgrade yourself and even earn money from the comfort of your home," she said.
Sairiya’s journey in the digital space has been far from easy, filled with its own set of hurdles that tested her resilience.
"When I first started exposing myself on social media, I faced a lot of trolling. It was a lot to handle, especially being so new to this kind of attention," she recalled.

The constant negativity from online strangers began to take a toll on her mental health.
"It led to anxiety and depression," she admitted, confessing that the weight of online criticism almost made her consider giving up on her dreams but despite the dark moments, Sairiya found the strength to persevere.
"My husband supported me through it all. He motivated me to keep going, even when I didn’t think I could," she said.
Their relationship too faced challenges as they adjusted to the demands of her online career.
"In the beginning, we had arguments because I was always on my phone.
"He didn’t fully understand how much time and energy it takes to maintain a presence online," she shared, acknowledging the difficulty of finding a balance between her work and personal life.
"But later, he understood that this is the nature of my job, and he has been incredibly supportive ever since. It’s been a learning process for both of us," she added.
Cyberbullying remains another harsh reality that Periyanayaki has had to contend with throughout her career.
Despite the pressures of being in the public eye, Sairiya refused to succumb to the expectations of maintaining a curated, perfect image.
"I don’t face any pressure to be someone I’m not because I show who I truly am to the world," she explained.
For her, authenticity is key—what you see is what you get.
"The beauty of social media is that it allows me to connect with people on a genuine level.
"I’m not here to portray an idealised version of myself; I’m here to show the real me, flaws and all," she added.
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