Susanna Reid has announced that she’s stepping away from social media, stating that online abuse has left her at “breaking point”.
The Good Morning Britain presenter wrote in her latest column for the Daily Mail that she’s regularly subjected to nastiness about her appearance, as well as frequent comments telling her to “pipe down because I am a woman”.
She wrote: “I am informed I am too fat, too thin, too old and too stupid. Spoilt, narcissistic and attention-seeking are common insults, although honestly no one on TV is going to be offended by the accusation that they seek attention. We’re hardly shrinking violets.
“The c-word — which often pops up — is never pleasant to read, but I’ve learned to ignore it. However, there are times when even thick skin gets thinner. I’m finally at breaking point, and I’m taking a step back from all the nastiness.”
Susanna went on to say that there’d been a “new level of personal viciousness” in the messages she receives since speaking out in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, both online and on GMB.
“I was told to ‘shut up’ and ‘get in your kennel’,” she explained. “I happened to check my phone when I was making lunch for the kids, and the tirade of sexist insults made my stomach lurch. I thought: ‘Why do I do this to myself?’”
She added that she doesn’t think social media sites do enough to curb online abuse, insisting: “The wealthy owners of top sites must start protecting people who use them in good faith. And make no mistake, unpleasant as it is for me, there is a whole other level of viciousness directed at Black people in the media.
“Social media has become a dark place, and the sites need to clean up their act if they want people to keep using them. No one should be scared into silence by the trolls.”
In the past, Susanna has made headlines on multiple occasions for putting online detractors in their place, particularly in relation to her on-screen partnership with GMB co-host Piers Morgan.
When one critic wrote that she “smiles away” while Piers “spouts bigotry and ignorance”, Susanna wrote back: “I spend my mornings challenging the views of Piers Morgan. I spend the rest of the day being told *checks notes* I don’t challenge him.”
She added that it’s “your choice not to watch the programme” but people should “at least have an informed view” before they criticise her.
A year earlier, Susanna made similar comments when she responded to those who suggested she should quit her GMB role over the opinions Piers has voiced on the show.
“My skin just gets thicker by the second. Half my critics think I should leave MY paid employment because THEY take issue with the person sitting next to me,” she fumed.
“The other half think I should leave, BECAUSE I take issue with the person sitting next to me. I’m staying right where I am.”