Sophie-May Dickson, an influencer whose teenage daughter took her own life after enduring years of relentless online bullying, has faced a fresh wave of cruel backlash after sharing intimate videos and photographs from her daughter's funeral. The grieving mother posted a black-and-white clip showing her leaning against her daughter's coffin, describing it as a "very special moment" she wanted to share with followers.
Tragic Loss After Sustained Online Abuse
Sixteen-year-old Princess Dickson died in February after becoming the target of vicious trolling on the gossip website Tattle Life. The abuse began when Princess was just 14 years old, with anonymous users posting thousands of derogatory comments about her body, appearance, and personal life. Initially, the trolling focused on her mother Sophie-May, who gained public attention after appearing on Channel 5's 'Blinging up Baby' in 2014, but when Ms Dickson deleted some social media accounts, the bullies redirected their attacks toward her vulnerable teenage daughter.
Funeral Footage Sparks Controversy
Ms Dickson shared photographs and videos from Princess's funeral last week, including one poignant image showing her dressed in white with her head resting against her daughter's coffin. In the caption, she wrote: "The day I tucked my baby to sleep for the very last time. The hardest goodbye." While many followers expressed support for the grieving mother, others left harsh criticisms accusing her of attention-seeking and inappropriate behavior.
One commenter remarked: "Fashion show it's more about your look than respect for the dead one," while another questioned: "Why do people film this and put it on social media? Attention seeking for this is disgusting." Some users contrasted their own experiences of grief, with one noting: "I remember burying my partner and I could barely get dressed or talk to anyone at all."
Mother's Emotional Defense
In response to the criticism, Ms Dickson posted an emotional defense on her Instagram story, explaining that the moment captured was deeply personal. "This was the last moment of me with my daughter," she wrote. "I was ONLY IN THE MOMENT! It was just myself and staff in the room but to me it felt like just myself and my daughter." She emphasized that she had hired photographers to document the day because "your emotions and adrenaline are so high you don't remember it at all," and she wanted to preserve those final memories.
Ms Dickson insisted: "I didn't broadcast this for views. I saw the person who captured this beautiful moment share it and decided to share it myself. This is a very special moment of mine and I am not wrong for sharing it."
Years of Public Scrutiny and Trolling
The Dickson family has been subjected to online harassment since 2014 when 'Blinging up Baby' showcased their lavish lifestyle. Critics on Tattle Life created thousands of posts attacking Ms Dickson's parenting, appearance, and decisions, including revelations that she paid for beauty treatments for her young daughters. This toxic environment eventually enveloped Princess, with trolls creating fake TikTok accounts to monitor and ridicule her posts.
Even after Princess's death, the abuse continued, with Tattle Life users posting offensive remarks about the teenager's funeral and blaming her mother for the tragedy. Ms Dickson told the Mail last month: "I am currently living every parent's worst nightmare. I took my daughter's phone away, but this did not prevent the bullies from reaching her." She revealed that the trolling persisted through school computers and in-person comments based on online content.
Political Intervention and Regulatory Response
Following Princess's death, a group of 20 Labour MPs wrote to Ofcom demanding "immediate and decisive" action to shut down Tattle Life. Their letter described "sustained and escalating online harassment, stalking, and abuse by adult users" targeting Princess since age 14, and noted that concerns about her mental health had been raised as early as September 2024.
Ms Dickson had previously reported the abuse to Essex Police, but was informed it was a civil matter. Ofcom has now initiated contact with Tattle Life to assess compliance with the Online Safety Act. A spokesperson for the regulator stated: "Protecting children online is a top priority for Ofcom, and we're aware of serious concerns raised about abuse on Tattle Life."
Tattle Life expressed "heartfelt condolences" to the family but declined further comment, noting the need for the Coroner's office to complete its investigation. The platform described its community as "long concerned for her welfare."
This tragic case highlights the devastating real-world consequences of online harassment and the complex challenges families face in navigating grief in the digital age, while raising urgent questions about platform accountability and the effectiveness of current online safety measures.
