Mums of Scottish Girls Tormeted Online Speak Out Against Bullying Hell
Angela Jarvis, aged 45, and Vicky Donald, aged 38, have come forward to share their daughters’ traumatic experiences of online bullying which ultimately led to physical attacks, significantly impacting their childhoods. The two mothers are advocates for Children First, a charity that recently declared a “childhood emergency” in Scotland due to the alarming rise in online bullying cases.
The pressing national issue was highlighted as the charity called for immediate actions to address the escalating mental health crisis among young people, intensified by online harm. Angela recounted the harrowing ordeal her 14-year-old daughter Abbie endured when she was viciously attacked at a skatepark in Glasgow back in October 2022. Prior to the physical assault, Abbie had been targeted online, leaving her feeling trapped and vulnerable. The incident, which left Abbie with PTSD, was recorded by bystanders and shared online, amplifying the trauma.
Reflecting on the impact of online bullying, Angela expressed her concerns, emphasizing the need for stringent measures against social media platforms that turn a blind eye to such abusive behaviour. She stressed the importance of creating a safer online environment for children to prevent further incidents like her daughter’s ordeal.
Vicky Donald, on the other hand, shared the story of her 13-year-old daughter, Kaylynn, who was subjected to online bullying that culminated in a physical attack on a bus in Fife. Vicky described how the online bullying altered Kaylynn’s personality, robbing her of her innocence and childhood joy. She called for accountability from social media companies, urging them to take responsibility for the harmful content circulating on their platforms.
Abbie and Kaylynn’s traumatic experiences have been part of the ongoing Our Kids … Our Future campaign by Daily Record, aiming to raise awareness and push for stronger measures against online bullying. The campaign advocates for the removal of violent content involving minors from social media, highlighting the urgent need to safeguard young individuals from such harmful exposure.
Children First’s chief executive, Mary Glasgow, echoed the concerns raised by the mothers, emphasizing the urgent need to address cyberbullying and online harm impacting children’s mental well-being. The charity’s declaration of a “childhood emergency” underscores the severity of the situation and the immediate action required to protect young people in Scotland.
As the voices of Angela, Vicky, and many others affected by online bullying continue to be heard, the collective call for stricter regulations on social media platforms grows louder, urging authorities to intervene and safeguard the well-being of the younger generation. The challenges and traumas faced by Abbie, Kaylynn, and countless other children serve as poignant reminders of the critical importance of combating online bullying to ensure a safer and healthier environment for all young individuals.