Fergie: Online bullying and abuse terrifies me and my girls

Sarah Ferguson said it was important for parents to speak to their children and offer support
Ross Lydall @RossLydall7 February 2019

The Duchess of York today told how she and daughters Beatrice and Eugenie found online abuse “really frightening” as she called for action against cyber bullying.

Sarah Ferguson said it was important for parents to speak to their children and offer support, especially when they become teenagers and are more likely to struggle with their emotions.

It came as Health Secretary Matt Hancock was today due to meet Instagram’s boss to demand action on the posting of harmful and distressing images on social media in the wake of the suicide of 14-year-old schoolgirl Molly Russell.

The Duchess of York, speaking during a visit to Sierra Leone to promote the education work of her London-based charity Street Child, was asked about the online trolling of the Duchess of Cambridge and Duchess of Sussex.

Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie
Getty Images for Ascot Racecourse

She told ITV’s Good Morning Britain: “I find it really frightening. I find the whole of this social media bullying just really frightening, for myself, let alone for my girls, Beatrice and Eugenie.

“They fight all the time to stop cyber bullying, to stop the pressure of social media. It’s a really big issue and we really must address it.”

Although suicide rates in the UK are at their lowest for almost 40 years, Mr Hancock says it has become the leading cause of death for people under 20. He said it was “appalling” how easy it was to access distressing content online.

Molly’s Instagram account contained posts on depression and suicide, and her father Ian said the website “helped kill my daughter”.

The Duchess of York told the Standard that it was important for young people to “be secure in your own self”.

She added: “As a mother I feel so strongly [that it’s important] to talk openly to your children and face any fears they may have … This is important to allow discussions which will highlight the underlying problem faced in today’s very bullying time on social media.”

Street Child, which the Standard is supporting, is aiming to raise £1 million by February 21 to help rebuild or renovate 1,000 schools over the next five years. Sarah appealed to the British public to donate £1,000 to sponsor a school. Donations will be matched by the Government up to £2 million.

To donate, visit street-child.co.uk

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