Carol Vorderman has opened up about her concerns over the growing issue of online abuse, noting that even women with no public profile are now subjected to regular criticism
Carol Vorderman has delivered a blunt assessment of the escalating online harassment targeting women, expressing her shock at how widespread the issue has become across social media.
The ex-Countdown host, 64, revealed she frequently observes the hostile behaviour directed at women online – including those without any public standing – and confessed the pattern leaves her deeply concerned.
In conversation with HuffPost UK, Vorderman explained: “When I go through Instagram, for instance – and I try to follow a whole range of different people, because you see the different lives that people are living and everything – every woman gets abuse! And I just think, ‘Hang on, what the f*** has happened here?'”
Vorderman recognised that celebrities typically encounter criticism as an occupational hazard, but she was swift to highlight the stark gender disparity in how such harassment is distributed.
“OK, if you earn a lot of money and you’re on the telly, there are huge advantages to that – you take a bit of criticism,” she remarked. “I mean, it’s not right – because it doesn’t happen to men.
“But it’s like, ‘Well, at least I’m getting the benefits,’ financially or whatever it might be,” reports Bristol Live.
Whilst emphasising that criticism shouldn’t become an accepted aspect of celebrity status, she suggested those in the spotlight might view it as an inevitable consequence. “You can kind of go, ‘Oh, everyone’s got to put up with the bad bits as well as the good bits, if you’re going to be famous.'”
However, Vorderman expressed her deepest concern is for the treatment of ordinary women.
She highlighted how average individuals, particularly young women, are now facing online vitriol simply for living their lives.
“When you’re just a normal person, a young woman living a normal life, doing your best, working hard, trying to have a nice time with your mates, and you get abuse – for what? For why?” she questioned. “That’s the bit I worry about, more than celebrities being mocked.
“It’s not the fault of social media,” she continued, “but social media has allowed the nastiness of nasty people to be freely out there.”
The presenter, who has become increasingly outspoken on political and social issues, frequently uses her platform to address matters impacting women and young people.
Her recent remarks underscore a growing concern echoed by campaigners, who argue that online harassment has become an everyday aspect of digital life for many women, leading to increasing demands for enhanced protections and regulation.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
