13 September 2023 , 14:50
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Former TOWIE star Georgia Kousoulou has made a heartbreaking decision for her son after being brutally trolled for her looks.
The reality TV star, 32, says she received hurtful comments about her appearance online since being in the public eye for a decade. She has felt her negative experience with social media has impacted how her son Brody will be able to access it in the future. Georgia has joined forces with other celebs including Love Island's Georgia Harrison and Lioness Fara Williams to demand change.
She attended a roundtable with Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan at Downing Street on Tuesday to discuss the Online Safety Bill. The landmark legislation wants to strengthen protections for kids around harmful and illegal content, such as bullying, pornography, the promotion of self-harm and eating disorders and online sexual exploitation and abuse. Georgia has felt her own experiences with online safety meant she wanted to speak up.
Georgia went to Downing Street to call for change (Instagram)
The reality TV star has been impacted by online abuseChatting to The Mirror, Georgia shared: "When I started TOWIE, I was only young and you change, you change your looks as you get older. Everyone changes. But I think the viewers didn't really like that. I got trolled about my looks or if I put a bit of weight on, they would be the first to tell you. It is really damaging and people don't realise that it really does take an effect. It really ruins your self confidence and it ruins your life."
She doesn't want her two-year-old son Brody to access social media as it is now. Georgia explained: "I am hearing stories all the time that young kids are on there and are seeing explicit videos, self harm videos and awful stuff they shouldn't be seeing at that age." The Baby Steps star shared that she posts pictures of her son on her own social media accounts since she feels in control of it. However, she is wary of letting her son have an account of his own in the future.
TOWIE's Chloe Brockett makes cheeky dig at Saffron Lempriere during filming
When asked if she will allow Brody to have social media, Georgia admitted: "I think I will, especially if the bill is going to be in place so it is going to be monitored. But I think with how it stands now without this bill, then probably not." The mum-of-one shared how she hopes the bill will help other parents feel more comfortable with their children being online.
"It's having that reassurance that their child is going to be safe online. I feel like as a parent you are going to be more trusting in the network. Obviously you are still going to make sure you do everything that you can but hopefully we are going to trust them [social media companies] a bit more."
The Online Safety Bill, which is expected to become law within weeks, will ensure social media firms will be forced to proactively tackle illegal content and be held to account for abuse on their platforms. Georgia said at her Downing Street appearance: “Like any mum, I want my son to grow up feeling safe. These new internet safety laws are so important and will make sure our kids are protected from cyberbullying and illegal content they shouldn’t be seeing.”