Social Media Star Faces Backlash for Supporting Children in Conflict Zones

Ms. Rachel's videos are a soothing presence for many toddlers. With her whimsical voice and cheerful waves, she shares upbeat nursery rhymes, dances, and language lessons for preschool children on social media.

However, last week was different for the popular social media creator, Rachel Griffin Accurso. Instead of her usual happy demeanor, she was in tears as she shared a message with her more than 6.5 million followers on Instagram and TikTok.

"It's really tough dealing with the bullying. It's really tough. But I know I can get through this," she shared in a video that she posted on her social media accounts last Thursday. The video showed a close-up of Accurso, visibly emotional, in a dimly lit room, wiping her eyes.

"This is who I am. I have a lot of love for my neighbor. I care for every child," she continued. "Just thinking about a mother who can't provide food or clean water for her child, or keep her child safe, breaks my heart."

The backlash against Accurso began four days ago when she announced a fundraising campaign to help children in war-torn areas, including Gaza. She started getting negative comments on her posts, with people questioning why she wasn't also supporting the victims of Hamas' attack on Israel on October 7th.

One comment on Instagram read, "You should care for all children, not just those in Gaza. Don't you care about what Hamas did to innocent Jewish children on October 7th?"

Another TikTok user commented, "What about the children who are held hostage? Do you show concern for all children?" in response to Accurso's video mentioning the children of Gaza.

Accurso, in the caption of her emotional video posted on May 16, expressed her worry for all children around the world.

"All children, in every country - Palestinian, Israeli, American - Muslim, Jewish, Christian children, are all included," she wrote.

Despite her explanation, some commenters continued to criticize her for overlooking the suffering of Israeli children. CNN has contacted Accurso for a response.

Some social media influencers have felt pressured to speak up amidst the Israel-Hamas war and recent protests on US college campuses. The Ms Rachel episode serves as a reminder that even the most innocent influencers can face backlash when they get involved in controversial topics like the Middle East.

Within hours, she managed to raise $50,000 for children impacted by the war.

Accurso, an educator, creates videos with songs and games to assist toddlers and parents during the early childhood stage. Her popular series, "Songs for Littles," includes engaging and educational tunes that appeal to both parents and young children.

With a subscriber base of 9.8 million on YouTube, her videos cover a wide range of topics such as language development and reading skills.

She shared her fundraising campaign in a video on May 12 on both her TikTok and Instagram accounts. In the video, she offered to create personalized video messages called Cameos for a fee, something that celebrities can record upon request.

Accurso mentioned that all the money she earns from these videos will be donated to Save the Children's emergency fund. The fund aims to help children who are impacted by war in various regions, such as Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

"By sending personalized videos to kids, I hope to bring smiles to their faces. The money raised from this will go towards helping other children who are living in extremely difficult situations," she mentioned in the video. "It's important that children are kept away from the horrors of war. Such acts are severe violations of their rights as human beings. We must ensure that children are safe and protected."

Rachel Griffin Accurso records a show last year in New York. The YouTube star is best known for "Songs for Littles," an online video series that draws millions of views.

Rachel Griffin Accurso, a popular YouTube star, filmed a show in New York last year. She is famous for her online video series called "Songs for Littles," which has attracted millions of views.

Image Source: OK McCausland/The New York Times/Redux

A day later, she shared another message discussing the devastating impact of war on children. "We should feel ashamed of the suffering children are enduring worldwide," she expressed.

Cameo requests and donations started pouring in. She mentioned that within a few hours, she had collected $50,000 from 500 video requests. "All the money I receive will be donated to Save the Children to support children in dire situations," she assured. CNN has contacted Save the Children for their response.

Accurso decided to temporarily stop taking Cameo requests in order to film the 500 personalized videos she already had on her plate.

Shortly after this announcement, she faced criticism. A few days later, she posted a tearful video on Instagram with the comments turned off. In the video, she was barely visible in dim lighting and seemed to be holding a blanket, a stark contrast to her usual bright and cheerful appearance in her trademark pink T-shirt and denim dungarees.

She chose not to elaborate on the bullying she has experienced and has turned off comments on her YouTube and certain Instagram posts.

However, she did receive encouraging messages. One TikTok commenter wrote, “This is a moral test and you are standing up for what is right. Stay strong.”

Social media influencers can face challenges when it comes to discussing divisive issues, according to experts.

One individual remarked, “You are the Mr. Rogers to our babies’ generation. Thank you for using your platform in such an influential way.”

Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel on October 7, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the capture of around 250 hostages taken into Gaza. In retaliation, Israel initiated a war against Hamas in Gaza, which has been ongoing for the past seven months.

According to the United Nations Children's Fund, over 14,000 children have lost their lives in Gaza since the conflict began in October. Additionally, about 12,000 children have been injured, while thousands more are still unaccounted for.

"According to UNICEF spokesperson James Elder, Rafah is known as a city of children. He mentioned this recently in reference to the Palestinian city located in southern Gaza. He highlighted that safety, as defined by international humanitarian law, includes freedom from bombardment and access to basic necessities like safe water, food, shelter, and medicine. Unfortunately, there seems to be nowhere safe to go in the Gaza Strip."

Accurso is among the social media influencers who have been leveraging their platforms to raise funds for the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. She identifies herself as an ambassador for Save the Children, actively working to support their cause.

Joining conversations on a divisive issue can be challenging for a social media influencer like Accurso, whose brand focuses on children, according to Giselle Ugarte, an online performance and personal branding coach. Ugarte explains that Accurso is viewed as an educational resource for young children, a neutral figure, and a safe space that is free from external dangers. Parents rely on her traditional programming to provide a worry-free experience for their children while stepping away from the screen.

Ugarte recommends influencers to consider if discussing a controversial topic fits with their goals and image. She also suggests being aware of possible negative reactions, repercussions, or safety risks.

Accurso has announced her intention to restart her fundraising efforts on Cameo. She is once again asking for support for the children in Gaza.

She shared a post on Tuesday, talking about a photo she saw of two babies in Gaza. She described how tiny their thighs were by making a small circle with her thumb and forefinger. Holding back tears, she emphasized the importance of not letting children go hungry. She stated, "We can't let children starve. That is not who we are."

Editor's P/S:

The article highlights the challenges faced by social media influencers when discussing divisive issues, particularly in the case of Rachel Griffin Accurso, known for her popular children's videos. Accurso's fundraising efforts for children impacted by the Israel-Hamas war sparked backlash from those who questioned why she wasn't also supporting victims of Hamas' attack on Israel. Despite her attempts to clarify her position and express concern for all children, she faced continued criticism.

This incident underscores the complexities of using social media platforms to address sensitive topics. Influencers like Accurso, who have built their brands on providing a safe and educational space for children, may face backlash when they venture into controversial discussions. It is important for influencers to carefully consider the potential consequences and ensure that their actions align with their goals and image.