‘Death threats’: Aussie model and author Tara Rae Moss reflects on worst hate-mail

Tara Rae Moss has had many online death threats over the years — but still remembers one of the worst she’s ever received.

From trolling and harassment to threats of rape and even death, Tara Rae Moss has seen the very worst of social media.

Indeed, her ghastly brush with online platforms led the best-selling crime author, model and human rights advocate to write, produce and present the TV series Cyber Hate in 2017.

Across six episodes, she exposed the toll that online trolling and aggressive social behaviour had taken on her – and it continues to this day.

“I had many death threats over the years. That’s never OK, no matter who you are, but is particularly not OK if aimed at kids,” Moss, 51, said.

One of the worst messages she received on Twitter read: “Have you no shame, whore? Lying about being raped to sell your garbage book? I hope you do get raped for your lies.”

Tara Rae Moss is backing Unplug24. Picture: Supplied

Moss will be joining other high-profile Australians in backing Unplug24, a campaign to boycott networking platforms for 24 hours on October 24, the first anniversary of Mac Holdsworth’s death.

Mac, 17, tragically took his life in 2023 after being “tortured and terrorised” on social media.

“Everyone gets negative comments in life, but some comments cross the line, and orchestrated hate campaigns, pile-ons, and death threats can be particularly dangerous,” Moss said.

“It’s important to highlight the importance of taking time out from screen time and social media, particularly for kids who may not have known a world without the kind of tech that can now fill our lives 24/7.”

Best-selling crime author Dervla McTiernan, who is also lending her support, said she had become “increasingly aware” of the negative impact her phone was having on her life.

Crime author Dervla McTiernan is also lending her support. Picture: Supplied

“I’ve heard social media apps described as behaviour modification systems, and I think that’s an apt description,” she said.

“They’re undeniably addictive. If you start using them the chances are very high that you will spend far, far more time on them than you ever anticipated or would ever have accepted as reasonable upfront.”

The mother of two said while her kids were currently too young to be online, in time, they will inevitably join.

“For younger kids, I think the negative impact of social media is much more intense,” McTiernan said.

“Apart from the addictive nature of social media, there’s no doubt that bullying is rife on the platforms.

“I think when you’re very young, that can feel catastrophic, like the world on your phone is the whole world, that there’s nothing else.”

Originally published as ‘Death threats’: Aussie model and author Tara Rae Moss reflects on worst hate-mail