'Things need to improve for today's kids'

DJ and campaigner Ashley James shares the parenting challenges keeping her awake at night as she raises children in the age of social media

- INTERVIEW BY KENZI DEVINE

While wonderful and fulfilling, becoming a parent can also bring with it a large dose of worry, something Ashley James is discovering as she raises her children Alfie, four, and Ada, two, with her partner Tommy Andrews.

"There are so many scary things out there. The thought of my children experiencing things I have, whether it's trolling or other issues, makes me nervous," she says. "The world's a scary place now."

It's why Ashley, a former reality star, has become a campaigner who speaks out for things she believes in, whether that's toxic masculinity or getting embroiled in a heated debate on This Morning.

"I'm outspoken, but the more you talk, the more you can fight for change," says the presenter, 38.

She's still reeling from the nightmare of people posting dangerous accusations about her home life anonymously on Tattle Life, the social media and gossip site exposed in a defamation case. Now victims hope it will shut down.

"People don't realise that it wasn't just gossiping and chatting, it's much darker," she says. "In my case, someone made a false allegation against me to social services, who came to my door. I told them that day or night, if they came to my door they'd only see loved children, so I wasn't worried.