An influencer is facing a wave of criticism after posting TikTok videos of herself dancing next to her father's hospital bed, sparking a debate about the boundaries of social media content.
Athena Paris, 23, who describes herself as having Puerto Rican and Greek heritage, defended the videos as her way of coping and bringing "joy to an otherwise gloomy hospital environment," according to the New York Post.
"I’m grateful God gave me time to come and help my dad recover," Ms. Paris said.
However, the videos drew sharp backlash online, with many commenters calling them "disturbing" and accusing Ms. Paris of exploiting a private family crisis for content.
"How do you make your father’s emergency about you?" one commenter wrote, while others labeled the posts "pointless and inappropriate."
Some supporters defended Ms. Paris, arguing that people cope with hardship differently and that her actions might have offered emotional support to her father.
"He needed that more than you could ever imagine," one fan commented.
The incident highlights the ongoing debate over sharing personal struggles on social media.