It was a simple picture of a little girl playing on the beach, but it opened one mum up to a nightmarish barrage of criticism.
The innocent photograph showed the child – named Winter – walking across the sand without her bathing suit on.
The inoffensive image was reported multiple times, leading to its eventual removal from Instagram. And the reason why is truly shocking…
Like many modern parents, proud mum Jordyn Jones often shares pictures of her adorable young children Winter and Wilde through her Instagram page.
And a day by the seaside is always a perfect opportunity to capture some happy family moments.
However, Jordyn could not have been prepared for the nasty and uninformed comments she received regarding the colour of her daughter’s skin.
One person remarked:
It’s disgusting to see how dark your daughters skin is. Have you heard of suncream?
How about you start using it before your kid looks 40 at four. Horrible mother.
The commenters had taken offence at Winter’s natural tan, wrongly presuming she had been out in the sun without any protection.
However, the family have Aboriginal heritage and so their skin is naturally tanned despite using sunscreen.
Shocked by the reaction, Jordyn made the following statement to her followers on another Instagram post:
Woke up this morning to see my post had been removed from Instagram because more then a few people had reported it.
I am disgusted at the thought that people who follow me Condon that ladies bullying and racist remarks.
My child’s skin is beautiful, I take all necessary measures to ensure her skin is protected and I wake up every dam day striving to be the best mother possible.
If you don’t like my posts or our skin colour offends you please just unfollow.
She added:
I won’t post about last nights events again because I don’t want to be putting negative energy into the world but please realise I am a real person behind this account, I’m not a robot.
I have feelings and emotions and even though I have thick skin when it comes to trolls, degrading comments made about my children are not on.
Many of Jordyn’s loyal followers were horrified by the treatment the loving mother had received, jumping to her defence.
One person said:
Sadly there are some moms who judge and don’t feel shameful in putting down moms and their babes.
Take comfort in knowing you have a community of followers that love and support your posts!
Another raged:
Wow jordy, just wow. Some people. You shouldn’t even have to justify yourself, these people never seem to understand that these photos are little glimpses, LITTLE, glimpses of our lives.
Jordyn told the Mirror:
I won’t stop posting the photos I do to please a minority.
My daughters skin colour is nothing to be ashamed. The photos I post a captures of moments in our life.
We live for the ocean and the summer days. I received so many uplifting messages it was so heartwarming.
Hopefully the cruel trolls will think twice next time before jumping to hurtful conclusions.
Jules studied English Literature with Creative Writing at Lancaster University before earning her masters in International Relations at Leiden University in The Netherlands (Hoi!). She then trained as a journalist through News Associates in Manchester. Jules has previously worked as a mental health blogger, copywriter and freelancer for various publications.