Zelda Williams quits social media in the wake of online harassment

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Wednesday, August 13, 2014
(AP/Katy Winn)
AP/Katy Winn

While millions have expressed their condolences to Zelda Williams over the loss of her father, actor Robin Williams, Zelda has been pressured to quit all of her social media accounts for "a good long time, maybe forever" following online harassment.

zeldawilliams/Twitter

In an Instagram post, she wrote, "I will be leaving this account for a but while I heal and decide if I'll be deleting it or not."

zeldawilliams/Instagram

Asking for followers to be respectful of her and her family's social media accounts, the 25 year-old actress admitted that some followers were shaming her for taking 'too many selfies' and not including enough photos of her with her father.

"Mining our accounts for photos of dad, or judging me on the number of them is cruel and unnecessary."

Having to share her father with the rest of the world, Zelda explained that "the real private moments I shared with him were precious, quiet, and believe it or not, not full of photos."

"I was lucky enough to spend time with him without cameras too."

Zelda affirms that her personal moments with her father will remain private, not wishing to have them exploited by news and blogs, stating "my favorite photos of family are framed in my house, not posted on social media, and they 'll remain there."

Immediately following news of her father's death, Zelda had remained mostly silent on social media, but recently posted notices of leave on her Twitter and Tumblr, as well. Releasing this statement on her Tumblr (shared as a tweet), Zelda again alluding to receiving negative messages.

zeldawilliams/Twitter

"To those he touched who are sending kind words, know that one of his favorite things in the world was to make you all laugh. As for those who are sending negativity, know that some small, giggling part of him is sending a flock of pigeons to your house to poop on your car. Right after you've had it washed. After all, he loved to laugh too..."

Reportedly, some individuals had sent Zelda morbid, photoshopped images of her father, altered to emotionally disturb her. Zelda has removed many of her personal photos and posts online, possibly to avoid further online bullying.

After explaining that her father was "one of the kindest, most generous, gentlest souls," she lamented that "the entire world is forever a little darker, less colorful and less full of laughter in his absence."

We hope that you will respect Zelda Williams' wishes, and only offer kind support to the Williams family through this tragedy.

What words of comfort would you tell someone after they just lost a parent? Let us know in the comments below.

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