The social media starlet Essena O’Neill who made international headlines for quitting social media has been called out by other influencers who claim her initiative is a hoax.

O’Neill has taken to her website Let’s Be Game Changers saying she was sick of the headlines and the backlash she received from the viral post was exactly why she quit.

“’19 YEAR OLD INSTA CELEB BLAMES SOCIAL MEDIA FOR HER PROBLEMS’ That story goes global,” wrote O’Neill. “Not ‘Teen raises questions about transparency online and deceptive product placements’. Or ‘teen raises questions about animal agriculture’ ‘teen talks about reality behind constant edited life’ ‘teen talks about culture appropriation’.

“Looks like media want attention and a ‘hot story’, not real change. AM I THE ONLY ONE OVER THIS??? WHY NOT TALK ABOUT THINGS THAT REALLY MATTER???”

Two social media influencers, NinaAndRanda, claiming to be friends with O’Neill, posted a 15 minute clip about how it was all a hoax for O’Neill.

Since the viral post, O’Neill has deleted her entire Instagram and YouTube account, meaning her original video on YouTube is no longer available.

Read more about what O’Neill said in her video here.

An now another social media influencer, fitness fan Kayla Itsines has taken to Instagram in response to the backlash, urging people to just be themselves and love themselves for it.

I would like to touch on this recent ‘Social Media is not real life’ article. Three weeks ago, I made a post explaining “a side of social media that you don’t see”. What it REALLY takes. I explained that it’s not as simple as posting a few photos of beautiful food, new clothes, luxury items (whatever celebrities post) and BAM, life is amazing. On my account, I’ll tell you now, you don’t see a lot of things. Not because I don’t want to show you, because I cannot physically take a photo of them. Things like… the 5 am wake ups, the late nights, the constant bullying, the lack of support and understanding of friends, the stress…. and so much more When I began my Instagram I had 3 things I would never do – and I still haven’t done. 1️⃣ I would NEVER promote something I didn’t believe in (detox, fads, quick fixes), and I still refuse 2️⃣ I would NEVER sexualise myself or pose provocatively to sell anything.3️⃣ I would never only post information that suits my lifestyle. (For example, I don’t really enjoy eating mushrooms, but I would never tell YOU not to eat them if they’re good for you). I don’t recommend you eat one certain way, I recommend you eat HEALTHY, and in which way you choose to do that, is completely up to you, so I like to provide information that suits all lifestyle preferences. If you are healthy and fit, I’m happy!! What I’m trying to say is that I want you ladies to be YOU. I want you to be the REAL YOU. My life, my food, my family …isn’t YOUR life, everyone is different. I post these transformations to show you there are SOOOO many girls out there on so many different journeys. All with one goal, to be happy, healthy and fit! Don’t strive to live like, or be like, one person on social media. Create your own self. Be honest. Stick to your morals .. and always try and be the BEST person you can be. www.kaylaitsines.com/guides

A photo posted by Kayla Itsines (@kayla_itsines) on Nov 2, 2015 at 6:49pm PST