The mother of a teenage girl who tragically ended her life following online harassment has received harsh criticism for sharing videos from her daughter’s funeral.
The 16-year-old, known as Princess, passed away in February after enduring years of cyberbullying on the gossip site Tattle Life. She had been targeted with hurtful comments about her appearance since the age of 14.
Her mother, Sophie-may Dickson, an influencer who was initially the primary target of the online abuse, faced over 10,000 negative posts about her and her family on the platform. When Ms. Dickson deleted some of her social media accounts, the trolls redirected their attacks towards her teenage daughter.
Ms. Dickson posted pictures from Princess’s funeral, including one where she was seen beside her daughter’s coffin. Despite her attempt to share a heartfelt moment, trolls once again left hurtful remarks on her Instagram post.
Responding to the bullies, Ms. Dickson defended her decision, explaining that she shared the intimate photos to cherish a special moment with her daughter. She expressed deep sorrow over the loss and reminisced about the last time she bid farewell to Princess.
While some users offered support to the grieving mother, others made insensitive comments, questioning the authenticity of the shared moments and criticizing her actions.
Addressing the critical comments, Ms. Dickson clarified the circumstances behind sharing the footage, emphasizing the profound emotional impact of the moment. She highlighted the importance of capturing such significant moments and how it helps in preserving memories.
Ms. Dickson, known for her appearance on ‘Blinging up Baby’ in 2014, has been under public scrutiny for her lifestyle choices, especially regarding her children’s upbringing. The backlash intensified after it was revealed that she indulged her young daughters in beauty treatments.
The hate directed at Ms. Dickson and her family escalated on Tattle Life, where numerous posts criticized her personal life, appearance, and parenting decisions. The platform, described as a hub for online trolling, allowed anonymous users to spread gossip and attack public figures.
Online trolls even went as far as creating fake accounts on TikTok to ridicule Princess and make derogatory comments on her posts. Discussions on Tattle Life continued to target Princess even after her passing, with users blaming her mother for the tragedy and making inappropriate remarks about the teen’s funeral.
Ms. Dickson lamented the ongoing harassment and abuse her family faced, both online and in real life, even after Princess’s death. Despite reporting the situation to Essex Police, the lack of action against the online abuse raised concerns about the impact on her daughter’s mental health.
Following Princess’s tragic death, a group of Labour MPs urged regulatory intervention to shut down Tattle Life due to the prolonged online harassment Princess endured. They emphasized the detrimental effects of online bullying on a child’s mental well-being and highlighted the urgent need for action against such platforms.
In response to the situation, Tattle Life expressed condolences to Princess’s family and emphasized the importance of allowing the Coroner’s office to conduct a thorough investigation before drawing conclusions. Meanwhile, Ofcom acknowledged the serious concerns raised about abuse on Tattle Life and assured that appropriate actions would be taken if compliance issues were identified.
For individuals seeking mental health support, contacting the Samaritans or visiting their website can provide assistance during difficult times.
