Brooke Eby's Unintended Spotlight: Targeted by an Influencer Hate Page
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Brooke Eby’s Unintended “In-Depth” Investigation of an Influencer Hate Page
In a candid People.com feature, ALS advocate Brooke Eby shares a disturbing yet enlightening discovery: a page on social‑media that aggregates hateful comments directed at influencers had identified and exposed her. The story is a stark reminder of how quickly an online presence can be weaponized, and how the fallout can reshape a public figure’s narrative—and even their mission.
Who is Brooke Eby?
Brooke Eby is a familiar face in the ALS advocacy community. She first entered the public eye in 2019 after receiving an ALS diagnosis, a disease that has claimed the lives of many. Rather than retreat, Eby harnessed her platform to raise awareness, funds, and support for those grappling with the illness. She runs the “AlzConnect” podcast, maintains an active Instagram and TikTok presence, and regularly appears in media segments to educate the public about ALS symptoms and treatments.
Beyond her advocacy, Eby has become a relatable, “real‑life” influencer for many. She talks candidly about her daily routines, the ups and downs of living with a progressive neurological disease, and offers an honest, sometimes humorous take on her experience. Her storytelling has earned her a dedicated following of thousands of fans who see her not as a celebrity, but as a friend and a fellow human being.
The Unwanted Spotlight
Eby’s narrative took a turn when she discovered that she was being targeted by a niche “influencer hate page” on Facebook. The page—a fringe community that curates negative, harassing comments about popular online creators—had found her profile and added her name to a list of “targets.” The page was not just a passive collector; it actively shared screenshots, memes, and often misleading or outright false statements about her.
When Eby began researching the page, she was shocked to see that the content went far beyond typical “troll” comments. The messages were often personal and humiliating. Some suggested that her illness was a ploy for sponsorships; others accused her of “faking” her condition to garner sympathy. In a few extreme cases, the hate content veered into hateful harassment that threatened her safety.
What made the discovery even more unsettling was that the page’s content was sourced from Eby’s own public posts. She could see her own words, re‑edited and twisted to fit a narrative that cast her in a negative light. The sheer volume of hate messages was overwhelming: dozens of posts in a single day, each one layered with hateful or harassing language.
Eby’s Reaction
Eby was initially numb. “I didn’t expect to see myself like that,” she said in the interview. “It felt like a violation.” She spent hours scrolling through the page, reading the comments that had been turned against her. In the process, she was forced to confront the harsh reality that anyone with a public presence—especially someone who is vulnerable due to illness—can become a target for online harassment.
Rather than retreating, Eby decided to confront the situation head‑on. She made a video explaining what she found, hoping to bring awareness to the broader problem of targeted harassment. She described the experience as a “wake‑up call” and a reminder that she cannot simply rely on the goodwill of her supporters to shield her from online hate.
Eby also clarified that she does not hold the hateful messages responsible for her decision to continue advocacy. “My passion for ALS advocacy is not going to stop,” she stated. “What I am trying to do is use this experience as an example of the importance of digital literacy and mental‑health awareness.”
Lessons Learned & Broader Context
The People.com piece uses Eby’s experience to discuss the prevalence of “influencer hate pages.” These pages are part of a larger ecosystem that thrives on outrage and negativity. They typically gather hateful content from across social‑media and amplify it—often with little oversight—leading to a culture where the vilification of public figures becomes normalized.
The article notes that there is no official data on how many public figures have been targeted by similar pages, but anecdotal evidence suggests that influencers in sensitive or marginalized categories (such as people with disabilities, LGBTQ+ creators, and people of color) are disproportionately affected.
Eby’s story underscores the psychological toll such harassment can have. She highlighted that even for someone accustomed to public scrutiny, constant negative messages can erode self‑confidence and exacerbate anxiety—particularly for those already dealing with a debilitating illness. She emphasized the importance of establishing boundaries and taking steps such as:
- Blocking or reporting harassing accounts.
- Engaging mental‑health resources if emotional distress escalates.
- Using privacy settings to limit who can see personal content.
Moreover, the article stresses that community support matters. Eby’s followers rallied to send her messages of support and even raised funds for her to get professional help, demonstrating that digital solidarity can mitigate the impact of negativity.
The Take‑Away
Brooke Eby’s experience is a microcosm of a growing phenomenon: public figures being hunted by online hate communities. Her story reminds us that:
- Public visibility is a double‑edged sword. It amplifies your message but also invites scrutiny.
- Harassment can take on many forms, from subtle digs to outright threats, and often relies on the victim’s own words to weaponize them.
- Community resilience matters. Support networks—fans, friends, and mental‑health professionals—can help mitigate the psychological toll.
- Digital literacy is crucial. Understanding how online platforms can be abused and knowing how to protect oneself is increasingly vital.
The People.com piece ends on a hopeful note. Eby says that her experience has only strengthened her resolve to fight ALS. By turning a painful episode into a learning opportunity, she hopes to inspire others to speak out against online hate, protect their digital selves, and keep focusing on their causes despite the noise.
In a world where every online post is potentially exposed to an unforgiving audience, Brooke Eby’s story serves as both a cautionary tale and a testament to the resilience of those who use their voice for good.
Read the Full People Article at:
[ https://people.com/als-advocate-brooke-eby-reveals-what-she-found-after-searching-herself-on-influencer-hate-page-11875080 ]