As Esther Ghey recounts the horrific circumstances surrounding her daughter Brianna’s murder, she is met with an overwhelming sense of grief and frustration. The immense pain she has endured since her daughter’s tragic death is compounded by the unsettling realization that social media platforms played a significant role in her mental health struggles. In a heart-wrenching interview, Ghey shares her poignant account of her daughter’s struggles with mental health, which were exacerbated by the constant exposure to online hate speech and negativity.
Ghey reveals that her daughter, a transgender teenager, was repeatedly targeted with trans hate speech and hate comments on social media platforms, including X, formerly Twitter. Notably, the company refused to take down one such comment, citing that it did not breach their policies. This blatant disregard for the young girl’s well-being has left Ghey feeling distraught and concerned for the countless children who are also exposed to similar hate speech online. She emphasizes that social media companies have a “moral responsibility” to protect young people from harm, and her testimonial serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for stricter controls on access to social media apps.
Furthermore, Ghey’s experiences highlight the lack of awareness about the impact of online hate speech on mental health. She believes that her daughter’s struggles with eating disorders and self-harm were partly a result of the constant exposure to such content on social media platforms. Ghey is now campaigning for a comprehensive approach to online safety, which includes stricter controls on social media companies and increased awareness about the harmful effects of online hate speech.
Brianna Ghey’s mother
In response to her daughter’s struggles, Ghey has established the Peace in Mind campaign, which aims to raise awareness about the importance of mindfulness as a cognitive skill. The campaign has raised £75,000 to train teachers in mindfulness, an approach that Ghey believes could have helped her daughter develop coping mechanisms to counteract the negative effects of online hate speech. Ghey’s initiative has garnered support from Emily Slater, chief executive of the Mindfulness in Schools Project, who shares Ghey’s sentiments about the need for a comprehensive approach to online safety.
As Ghey navigates the grieving process, she remains committed to using her daughter’s legacy as a catalyst for positive change. Her determination to fight for online safety is a testament to the enduring power of love and the urgent need for action. Ghey’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the devastating consequences of online hate speech and the imperative for social media companies to prioritize the well-being of their users, particularly children and young people.
Relevant keywords: online safety, social media, hate speech, mental health, mindfulness, online hate speech, mortality, grief, activism, peace of mind, schools, education, childhood, adolescence, digital citizenship.
