Inside the Dark Side: A Cosplayer’s Battle with Blackmail, Stalking, and Threats in the Influencer World

Inside the Dark Side: A Cosplayer’s Battle with Blackmail, Stalking, and Threats in the Influencer World

Rurusama’s Reality: Fame, Fluff, and a Whole Lot of Flak

What’s the Deal?

Being a social‑media superstar means double the spotlight, double the fans, and—spoiler alert—double the haters. 3‑Tiki creator Rurusama (age 23, former cosplayer‑turned‑content‑queen) spilled the tea that the internet isn’t just a place for cute grins. Every day, her inbox lights up with a mix of sweet compliments and downright nasty one‑liners.

The Trash‑Can Comments

  • “If you’re going to comment, at least be nice.” – Rurusama breaks the silence, “Looks and legs get the usual flak, but that’s the least of my worries.”
  • “Death threats? Yeah, they’re all over.” – “People can’t get enough of throwing the most violent comments.”
  • Stalking, blackmailing with an ultimatum to send nudes or you’ll steal your family’s life—a nightmare, literally.

One Incognito Bathroom Incident

The influencer was chilling in a loo at a concert when a message popped up claiming “I’m right there” with an ominous “I’ll do harm.” In a scramble, she dialed her father—thanks to him, she got home safe—but still left feeling rattled.

She says…

“Even if some of the abuse is ‘inside jokes,’ it still creeps me out.” She’s not just dealing with random shenanigans—she’s confronting real, threatening harassment.

Law to the Rescue

Good news? Singapore’s Parliament has passed the Online Safety (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill (November 9). Cranking the Broadcasting Act, it holds social‑media platforms accountable for protecting local users from online hazards such as cyberbullying, harassment, abuse, and sexual exploitation.

Where Things Go Next

Starting next year, big digital platforms will face stiff penalties if they fail to guard against the nasty side of the internet. The hope? A safer, friendlier online space for creators like Rurusama and everybody else who loves to scroll.

Cyberbullying perceived most harmful

What Singaporeans Really Think About Online Toxicity

Turns out the “in‑depth research” we’ve all been waiting for is officially in the headlines. AsiaOne just ran a poll across 1,126 internet‑savvy folks and found the verdict on what hurts our digital souls.

Cyberbullying Still the Top‑Bother

  • 52% of respondents said cyberbullying is the most toxic thing all over social media.

Chilling Two‑Step (and Three‑Step)

  • 48% flagged harassment as another major pain point.
  • 46% were worried about public shaming—the shame‑stakes that seem to jump straight from feeds to real‑life dread.

Cancel Culture: Still a Soft Spot

  • Only 32% agreed that cancel culture slices into the fabric of online safety.

Verbal Abuse: A Victim‑Angry 45%

  • Almost half of the crowd (45%) pushed verbal abuse up the list.
  • Interestingly, the 25‑44 age group leaned toward—well, toward the side opposite toxicity. They were less likely to flag it as dangerous or harmful.

What the Commish Has to Say

Edmund Chua, the big boss of AsiaOne’s Consumer Insights and Analytics Office, summed it up: “Everyone’s got a decent idea that online harm exists and can leave victims flat‑out. And believe it or not, the majority aren’t seeing regulation as a fairy‑tale overreach on free speech.”

Long story short, the people want action, but they’re not looking for a bite‑the‑tongue approach. They’re looking for real guardrails.

Banned from the internet

Should We Tackle Online Nasty Kinda More? Let’s Dive In

People who think we need a bigger hand on policing virtual mischief aren’t just cheering—it’s a full set of ideas on how to wrangle the chaos. I’m going to share the scoop on what folks came up with—no code or links, just pure human taste.

1. Penalties, Penalties, Penalties

  • 5.9% of respondents reckon fine it up or lock it up. They’re in the “court‑room–style” camp.
  • Three of them (a tiny fraction) felt the death penalty could be justified when a post even gives someone a real‑life fatal blow. A controversial brain‑wave, no doubt.

2. Timeouts & True‑Name‑Police!

  • 2.6% suggested banning the offender from the internet for a while—a “digital ex‑clusion” approach.
  • 3% wanted to strip away the cloak of anonymity, because who’s really behind the keyboard if you can’t see their name?
  • 2.4% urged a “third‑party guard”: a police unit or a dedicated body to patrol and scrub out bad vibes.

3. Teach them (or at least give them a heads up)

  • 3% dreamed of education—making folks aware of what’s actually “online harm” and how victims can protect themselves.

But Wait! We’re Still Chasing the Definition

Chua, the big voice behind the chatter, pointed out that the people’s opinions are all over the place because no one’s quite sure what counts as harmful. Speaking straight,

“The process to regulate harmful behaviour will be a long, ongoing journey. The government must create a conversation with society about what specifically is harmful online behaviour.”
“When we get a clearer picture of online harms, we’ll also need to juggle education to help society settle on a set of ethical standards and explain how victims can seek restitution.”

Bottom line? The internet playground is still figuring out the rulebook, and every voice matters—whether it’s fines, bans, or a massive educational campaign.

‘Read the better comments’

Rurusama’s Take on Online Hate

“I’ve Learned to Nix the Negativity”

Rurusama’s mantra? “You can’t stop the chatter, but you can stop staring at it.” She’s pretty much done with the pile‑up of nasty comments, and instead of letting them weigh her down, she chooses to skim the good ones.

Why the Trolls’ Volume Isn’t Everything

She knows the truth: the more fire, the louder the fight, but it doesn’t mean the fight is worth your mental energy. “Life’s a toss, not a fight,” she says. That’s why she keeps her focus on positive responses.

  • Ignore the trash. Don’t give it the audience it wants.
  • Read the gold. Highlight supportive comments that give you a boost.
  • Click away. Close the comment section when it gets too intense.
  • Keep perspective. Remember the big picture: you matter more than a few grumpy voices.

The Difference Between “Mild” and “Massive” Hate

Every creator faces internet attacks at some point. Rurusama says her experience is a “mild drizzle” compared to the storm many face. She believes that, while still negative, the severity isn’t the same level of wrecking‑howl seen in other creators’ feeds.

She’s got her share of nasty comments, but she feels she’s sailing in calmer waters than most. With calm strategies and a focus on positive feedback, she keeps her sanity—and her smile—intact.

SINGAPORE HELPLINES

Need a Lifeline? Singapore’s Mental Health Support Hub

Sometimes life feels like a maze with no exit signs. If you’re stuck in the middle of that maze, you’re not alone—Singapore has a whole network of hotlines ready to help.

Hit the Phone When You Feel Overwhelmed

  • Samaritans of Singapore: 1800‑221‑4444
  • Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800‑283‑7019
  • Care Corner Counselling Centre (Mandarin): 1800‑353‑5800
  • Institute of Mental Health’s Mental Health Helpline: 6389‑2222
  • Silver Ribbon (for older folks): 6386‑1928

Just dial one of those and you’ll get a friendly ear—no judgment, just support. Think of it as a giant digital hug for when words feel too heavy.

Want to Understand Singaporeans’ Views on Social Matters?

At AsiaOne, we’re both artists and scientists when it comes to communication. We run 24/7 polls to capture how people feel about everything from mental health to the latest trend in the city.

Want deeper insights or a full study on Singapore’s attitudes towards social issues? Get in touch with us at [email protected]—we’ll help you dive into the data, and maybe throw in a few witty observations along the way.

Disclaimer

No part of this story or the images can be reproduced without permission from AsiaOne.