'We get abuse for sharing our lives online - now vile trolls target our kids'
Two social media influencers who regularly share their family life online have claimed that vicious trolls have begun targeting their children - and have even called social services on the family more than once.
Sarah and Chris Ingham launched their YouTube channel, The Ingham Family, around five years ago, and became internet sensations after they started vlogging about their life in the North of England with their five children, Isabelle, 17, Esme, 13, Isla, 10, Jace, 3, and Mila, 18 months.
Although the parents are unfortunately used to being the targets of vile trolls who make comments about their appearance and their decision to film their children, things have only gotten worse as their platform has grown - and now their children are being targeted too.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Sarah said: "We don't go on any gossip sites but we have been made aware that people post about us by some of our followers and friends.
"They ask if I've seen what they've said about Jace and Esme. It's one thing for them to talk about me but when they talk about my children in such a negative way, I can't even have people telling me what they say."
Mum's touching gesture to young son who died leaves Morrisons shopper in tearsThe mum even claimed trolls have reported her family to social services multiple times, with one allegedly accusing her three-year-old son Jace of abusing another of her children.
She added: "Fortunately social services are aware of it all and can see that they are menacing calls but it's still frustrating as they have to let us know each time a report is made.
"My husband doesn't even feel like he can kiss the children goodnight because he is branded as inappropriate. It's disgusting the things they say. I am constantly told by friends and fans to stop justifying myself but I feel like I have to."
Sarah and Chris are often accused of exploiting their children to make money, but the couple vehemently deny the allegations and have insisted their children "always have the right to say no" to appearing in any online content.
The mum explained: "Whatever people see online is what our children are happy with. Our channel has been the same since day one and we don't change to keep up with all the latest trends.
"It's not our children's job to create content. A lot of people have been saying 'where are your older daughters?' and they are not on it as much anymore because they don't want to be and that's fine. They have total control."
And despite the vile comments they receive from trolls, the family have vowed to continue posting and living their lives.
Sarah said: "We won't stop posting though. This is our job and it's how we make a living and we aren't going to let these nasty trolls stop us from doing that. But it does have an impact on your mental health.
"We had to move from our home in Leeds to North Lincolnshire because people found out where we lived and would drive past our house and try and take pictures of us."