Jesy Nelson’s story is an object lesson in why we must be kind to each other – bullying kills

In an astonishing BBC documentary, the Little Mix singer revealed just how much harm she suffered at the hands of countless anonymous cyberbullies. We must recognise how important kindness is, and teach our children that brutal negativity isn’t normal

I’m too old to know which one’s which in Little Mix, the 2011 X Factor-winning girl band. Only now I do, thanks to Odd One Out, a BBC documentary aired last Thursday that features band member Jesy Nelson recalling her years of online abuse.

The Jesy we meet on the TV is now 28 years old. She is flawlessly made up, with foot-long lashes, plump lips and ever-changing hairstyles. In other words, she looks like loads of other pretty, heavily made-up twentysomethings, complete with tattoos and false nails. But it’s the eyes that haunt you.

Her eyes are very much her own, and throughout much of this heartbreaking hour-long programme they are filled with tears. And no wonder: Nelson has spent most of her twenties trying to be a pop star whilst simultaneously dealing with the most hideous online abuse, and all for being an average-sized woman in an industry that prefers girls on the anorexic side of petite.