Imagine uploading a photo of yourself to social media. You feel confident and people begin to comment on how great you look. But then you notice some negativity – a few comments saying that you’re ugly, unattractive. Then imagine others joining in, taunting you, making you feel worthless.
This form of online abuse is trolling and it doesn’t just affect celebrities – it can impact anyone on social media. Trolling is when a person comments online to bait people, deliberately provoking an argument or an emotional reaction. And it’s easy to find yourself a perpetrator without even realising it.
INTERNET PILE-ONS
Whether it’s commenting that you don’t like a celebrity’s outfit, or posting something negative about a politician online, if your intent is to get a rise out of a person, it counts as abuse. Loose Women favourite Denise Welch hit back at bullies who attempted to shame her online about her journey to sobriety. And recently, footballer Declan Rice’s partner, Lauren Fryer, deleted all her Instagram pictures after receiving a barrage of abuse online over her appearance.
The Online Safety Act, which became law in October, gives courts the power to jail trolls for up to five years. Despite this deterrent, though, online bullies are still rife and often strike when people are at their most vulnerable.
Tracey Patterson was going through one of the most painful experiences imaginable when her husband, Barrington (a former MMA fighter and kickboxer) died suddenly from a heart attack at the age of 56, in March 2022. But while she was still grieving, someone began tagging her in the comments section of local news articles about his death. When Tracey read the comments, such as, ‘Serves him right’, she was horrified that anyone could be so nasty.
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Denne historien er fra July 01, 2024-utgaven av WOMAN'S OWN.
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FAST & THRIFTY DINNERS
Filling family meals to save you time and money
ARE VIRAL FITNESS TRENDS WORTH THE HYPE?
Keen to know if the workouts she sees online can actually make her fitter, Rachel Tompkins, 44, gives them a try
GO OUT OF SEASON
While some European cities seem to go into hibernation over winter, others just get better in the colder months
MY LIFE IN MUSIC
Monica Cafferky, 55, reveals how certain tunes bring back special memories
THE DECISION THAT CHANGED MY LIFE
After trying diets without success, Breanne Concannon, 31, was left feeling hopeless
MY TOY ΒΟΥ KEEPS ME YOUNG
For Trish Hughes, 44, the thrills of being married to a man 20 years younger is worth all the judgement
'THAT'S NOT MY BABY'
Lying in the hospital bed, my husband Michael had tears of happiness in his eyes as he showed me a photo on his phone. 'Here she is,' he said proudly. 'This is our beautiful baby girl.'I stared at the photo and shook my head. 'No, that's not my baby,' I said. 'There must be a mistake.'It was August 2010 and I'd not long before had an emergency caesarean. I'd not had a chance to see Winnie when she arrived as she'd been whisked away for tests because she was nearly two months premature.
CAUGHT IN THE ACT
Hayley, 45, has her son to thank for crucial evidence
'I'D LOVE TO DO EASTENDERS'
Loose Women's Linda Robson on the daytime show, dating and her next career move
Beckhams INSIDE THEIR PROPERTY EMPIRE
We take a look at the power couple's posh pads
