Kenyan social media personality and lifestyle creator Dr Lindah Muthoni has shared an example of the difference between people’s online behavior and their conduct in person. The influencer, who holds a doctorate in philosophy and has a large following on Instagram, recounted an incident in which a critic approached her warmly at a public event, only for her to later realize the same individual had been leaving critical comments on her social media posts.
Dr Lindah described the interaction at a gathering in Nairobi, saying the person smiled, greeted her warmly, and expressed admiration for her work.
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She later checked her social media accounts and identified the individual as someone who had frequently left dismissive and critical remarks on her posts.
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“At first, I thought the person was genuinely supportive. Later, I realized they had been posting critical comments on my pages,” Dr Lindah said.
                                                                    Dr Linda Muthoni // Instagram

Balancing Digital Content and Civil Service

Dr Lindah’s online profile includes lifestyle content, personal reflections, and moments from her life, balancing civil service employment with content creation. Her following extends to hundreds of thousands across platforms, and her influence reaches beyond entertainment into discussions about education, professionalism, and online engagement.

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Researchers note that online interactions often differ from face-to-face behavior. Dr Jane Mwangi, a communications researcher at the University of Nairobi, explained that internet users sometimes post harsher opinions online than they would in person because of anonymity and physical distance.
“The internet can amplify criticism, and people often forget there is a real person behind the screen,” Dr Mwangi said.
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Online Civility and Public Interaction

Dr Lindah’s story has led to discussions among her followers about online conduct. Many noted the challenges public figures face when managing negative comments while maintaining a professional online presence. The incident has highlighted the distinction between constructive critique and personal attacks.

Dr Linda Muthoni // Instagram
She emphasized maintaining consistency between online and offline behavior, stressing that engagement with creators can be respectful while remaining critical.
“Criticism can be valuable, but it doesn’t have to be demeaning or dismissive. Kindness online matters as much as it does in person,” she wrote.