In a move highlighting the dark side of digital fame, snowboarding superstar Chloe Kim has announced she's stepping away from social media. The decision comes not from competition fatigue, but from what she describes as deeply unsettling behavior from some followers.
A Champion's Resilience
Kim's announcement follows an incredible display of grit at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Games. Battling a significant shoulder injury and personal mental health challenges, the 25-year-old American secured a silver medal in the women's halfpipe. This medal adds to her two previous Olympic golds, cementing her legacy as one of the sport's all-time greats.
Her performance in Livigno was a triumph of perseverance. "A month ago, I wasn't even sure if I'd be able to compete," Kim revealed after the final. "I was in the darkest space mentally and felt so much fear coming back. To land my run... was the most rewarding and validating thing I've ever experienced." She showed immense sportsmanship, publicly praising gold medalist Choi Gaon of South Korea and Japan's Mitsuki Ono for their inspirational performances.
The Breaking Point
Unfortunately, the post-Olympic glow was quickly dimmed by online harassment. Kim took to her Instagram Story to explain her difficult choice. "Hello hello! Happy Friday! I unfortunately had to turn off my DMs due to people taking things too far," she wrote. "I've seen too many fake and very disturbing images/videos and I need to protect myself."
The snowboarder expressed hope that this would be a temporary measure, noting, "Hopefully with some time we'll be back! I really do enjoy connecting with you all!" Her message underscores the difficult balance public figures must strike between accessibility and personal safety in the digital age.
AI-Generated Deception
Among the fake content targeting Kim was a fabricated image suggesting she was engaged to her boyfriend, Cleveland Browns defensive star Myles Garrett. Kim confirmed on Jimmy Kimmel's show that the photo was entirely generated by artificial intelligence. "Don't fall for it, guys," she warned her fans, exposing how easily AI tools can be weaponized to spread falsehoods and invade privacy.
While the engagement rumor was debunked, Kim has not detailed the full extent of the other "disturbing" material sent to her. The incident points to a growing trend where athletes and celebrities face not just criticism, but digitally manufactured harassment designed to shock, upset, or deceive.
A Call for Respect
This episode casts a shadow over what should be a celebratory moment for Kim, who has given so much to her sport. Her career is a testament to groundbreaking talent and resilience, from her historic gold at PyeongChang 2018 as a teenager to her courageous silver in Milan while injured. She deserves admiration and respect, not digital abuse.
The sports community is now left hoping this toxic trend ends swiftly. Athletes like Kim share their journeys to inspire, not to become targets for malicious online activity. Her temporary retreat from social platforms is a stark reminder that behind every champion's profile is a person deserving of basic decency and privacy.
As Kim takes this necessary step to safeguard her mental well-being, the focus should rightly return to her athletic achievements and the positive connection she strives to maintain with her genuine supporters. The hope is that a period of distance will allow for a healthier, safer online environment when she chooses to return.
