# Sickfluencers Under Fire

> Critics accuse disabled creators of faking illnesses for social media clout.
- Title: Sickfluencers Under Fire · Slate Magazine | Shortify
- Summary: Critics accuse disabled creators of faking illnesses for social media clout. Social media critics claim sickfluencers fake disabilities for attention, but…
- Keywords: sickfluencer, social media, disability, sexism, online health, podcast, kate lindsay, devon price, Sickfluencers, Under, Fire, Slate Magazine
- Source: Slate Magazine — https://slate.com/podcasts/icymi/2026/09/creators-are-not-faking-disabilities?via=rss
- Published: 2026-09-23T07:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: sickfluencer, social media, disability, sexism, online health, podcast, kate lindsay, devon price
## What are sickfluencers?
Content creators with illnesses or disabilities share their health struggles online.

> Sickfluencers are people who share their illnesses and disabilities online.
## Critics accuse them of faking
Some claim sickfluencers fake symptoms to gain social media attention.

> Critics say sickfluencers fake their symptoms for social media clout.
## Experts call it sexist
Social psychologist Devon Price says the backlash stems from sexism against disabled women.

> The criticism is rooted in sexism, not the sickfluencers themselves.
## Why the panic?
The fear of social contagion spreads quickly online, especially among women.

> The panic is a social contagion that targets women with disabilities.
## What's the truth?
Sickfluencers are real people sharing their health experiences without faking symptoms.

> Sickfluencers are not faking their disabilities, they're sharing their real health struggles.
## Key takeaway

Social media critics claim sickfluencers fake disabilities for attention, but experts say the backlash is sexist.