Terror attack victims warned to beware of trolls on social media

 Victims of terrorist attacks are being warned to avoid social media in case they are trolled.

New NHS guidance advises those swept up in future incidents that telling their stories could bring traumatic flashbacks or see them subject to “vile and upsetting abuse.”

NHS England has created a new guide to social media, which warns that trolls may target victims, as was seen after the Manchester and London terror attacks.

The guide tells victims that positive coverage can help with any appeals they have, such as searching for loved ones, and can enable them to pay tribute to those who have been killed.

But it suggests keeping away from Twitter and Facebook in the immediate aftermath of trauma.

“After an upsetting event try to stay off social media in case you say more than you intend because of what you experienced; messaging your story can keep you in the trauma; retelling your story can also bring back bad memories and you can even relive the trauma,” the guidance states. Victims of the Manchester terror attack have been given a tour of the arena where the tragedy happened as part of therapy ahead of the concert hall re-opening today. Twenty-two people died after Salman Abedi detonated a bomb in the foyer at the end of an Ariana Grande concert.