We try to protect our twins from trolls

KATE and Gerry McCann reveal how they have tried to protect their 12-year-old twins from hurtful online comments by so-called trolls over their sister’s disappearance.

Sean and Amelie were toddlers when Madeleine disappeared but are now at an age, say their parents, when social media is unavoidable.

Gerry says: ‘We have been as open with them as we can.

‘We have told them that people are writing things that are simply untrue and that they need to be aware of that.’

Kate adds: ‘We’ve tried to educate them a little bit as well, because obviously it is not just us that have fallen victim to the downside of social media.’

She says some of the abuse has been shocking, describing it as an ‘aspect of human nature’ she has never encountered.

‘It’s so far from how you would behave or people that you know would behave.

‘It’s been striking and hard to get your head around. Because why would somebody write that? Why would somebody add to someone’s upset? Why would someone in a position of ignorance do something like that?’

Instead of dwelling too much upon it, the couple try to focus on the kindness shown towards them by well-wishers over the past decade. Gerry says: ‘I think we’ve seen the worst and the best of human nature.’