Natalia Cooper hits back at body-shaming trolls: 'Shame on you'

Nine reporter Natalia Cooper has responded to Twitter users who felt the need to comment on her body during a weather reporter over the weekend.

In the clip, shared online, the presenter wore a floor-length floral dress while delivering an update on the seasonal changes we can expect during the first week of the new year.

A Twitter user slammed her outfit choice, claiming it made her appear "huge" on camera.

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Responding to the comment - yet another unsolicited opinion about a person's appearance - Cooper shared a simple and effective message.

"Hate the dress all you want but to blatantly body shame as well - shame on you," she wrote, re-sharing the cruel comment with her response on Twitter.

Cooper was widely praised for her handling of the situation.

"You are beautiful inside and out. Can't say the same for everyone else unfortunately," replied one commenter.

"Well said Natalia. Keep being you and let the haters hate, they have little else in their pathetic lives," wrote another.

Cooper responded to her supporters' messages, noting she "normally" ignores comments about her appearance but felt "compelled to say something today."

The comments come just over a week after the federal government introduced world-first laws to curb online trolling, with six-figure fines of up to $110,000.

The Online Safety Bill, introduced on December 22, 2020, will make it illegal to post "seriously harmful content" on websites and social media, such as death threats, revenge porn and comments that intentionally "menace, harass or offend'.'

The proposed laws will also give the government powers to force social media companies to erase harmful content and to hand over the personal details of offenders hiding behind pseudonyms and fake profiles.

Body-shaming has been a pervasive issue online, accelerated by the advent of social media.

A study by the NEDA found 94 per cent of all teenage girls and 64 per cent of teenage boys surveyed have been shamed for the way their bodies look.

Plan International Australia recently revealed 65 per cent of young women across Australia between the age of 15-25 have been exposed to some form of online abuse.

In the global survey, Australia ranked as one of the worst countries for perpetuating online abuse among young women, with 71 per cent of girls revealing they had suffered lower self-esteem, mental and emotional stress due to being harassed on social media.

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