word ransom Snapchat after arriving in Tenerife
- Debbie Duncan and her family received vile messages and abuse online.
- The harassment followed the accidental leak of Debbie's mobile number.
- Online trolls targeted the family after their arrival in Tenerife.
The mother of missing teenager Jay Slater has spoken out about the distressing harassment she faced from online trolls while searching for her son in Tenerife. Debbie Slater revealed that the family was inundated with cruel messages shortly after arriving on the island, following a relative's unintentional sharing of her phone number alongside a missing poster on Facebook. This led to a barrage of messages, some claiming to know Jay's whereabouts and others making alarming threats. Debbie recounted her experience, stating, "I was in a hotel room in Tenerife and looking for Jay - and I was getting terrorised by trolls." She described the messages as horrific, with some users screaming Jay's name or spreading false rumors about him being harmed. Despite her attempts to block out the negativity, she found it impossible to escape the torment. Ex-detective Mark Williams-Thomas, who has been assisting the family in their search, also addressed the issue of online abuse. He noted the prevalence of fake content surrounding Jay's case, including fabricated messages and images. While he acknowledged the overwhelming support from the public, he emphasized the challenges posed by social media, where misinformation can spread rapidly. The Slater family's ordeal highlights the darker side of social media, where the quest for information can lead to harassment and threats, complicating their search for Jay amidst a backdrop of global media attention.