Actress Millie Bobby Brown has called out the Mail and MailOnline journalists following a cruel campaign of stories concentrating on the actresses' perceived ‘mature’ appearance saying: “This isn’t journalism: this is bullying.”

In a near three-minute video on Instagram, The Stranger Things star name checks four reporters from the newspaper, namely John Ely, the papers deputy health editor, Bethan Edwards, a Mail online showbiz reporter, Daily Mail reporter Cassie Carpenter, and Femail reporter, Lydia Hawken.

Brown goes on to read out the headlines of some of the sexist coverage of her “ageing so badly.”

“I want to take a moment to address something that I think is bigger than just me, something that affects every young woman who grows up under public scrutiny,” Brown’s post begins.

She describes the authors as “writers desperate to tear women down.” Proceeding to evidence her view with specific examples of such reporting.

The thread, underlying the slew of stories in the newspaper and online edition concentrate entirely on the 21-year-old's appearance and echo a narrative asking if her looks are ‘mature’ or age appropriate.

Headlines in recent days include “Why are Gen Zers like Millie Bobby Brown ageing so badly” written by Lydia Hawken in the Femail section of the newspaper -specifically aimed at female readers.

It followed a story the day before in the same section of the paper headlined "Makeup-free Millie Bobby Brown shows her real skin amid criticism over ‘mature’ new look."

Just a week previously, the MailOnline published photographs of the actress with her younger sister claiming she had been ‘mistaken for someone’s mom.’

The article is written by Cassie Carpenter, who boasts ‘fact checking’ and ‘a proven track record for accuracy and style’ on her LinkedIn biog. The content of the article relies on social media trolls passing comment.

In another article the paper asks: "What HAS Millie Bobby Brown done to her face? Cosmetic surgeons weigh in as fans say the Stranger Things star, 21, looks – ‘a decade older’ on the red carpet.

Author John Ely, purported to be a health specialist at the newspaper, quotes critical comments found online and expertise from Dr Paul Banwell, ‘an award-winning consultant plastic and cosmetic surgeon’ who speculates about possible cosmetic work to Brown’s cheeks and lips.

None of this is evidenced, yet another surgeon, Dr Richard Reish, a New York based surgeon is then quoted speculating to his 30,000 Tik Tok followers.

Addressing the stories the actress says: “The fact that adult writers are spending their time dissecting my face my body, my choices is disturbing.”

“And the fact that some of these articles are written by women makes it even worse.”

Since the age of 10, Millie Bobby Brown has grown up in the public eye and has faced a forensic preoccupation from the press – scrutinising her face, body and choices.

Recent red carpet events where she appeared with a new blonde hair colour attending the SAG Awards on February 23, the premiere of her new film The Electric State on February 24, and the BRIT Awards on March 2 have increased media scrutiny.

Her experience of press abuse echoes that of many young women in the public eye such as hacking victim, Charlotte Church and the late TV presenter Caroline Flack as well as many more. The Enola Holmes star continued:

"For some reason people can’t seem to grow up with me. Instead, they act like I’m supposed to stay frozen in time like I should still look like I did on Stranger Things season one. And because I don’t, I’m now a target.

"We always talk about supporting and uplifting young but when it comes down to it, it seems a lot easier to just tear them down for clicks. Disillusioned people can't handle seeing a girl become a woman on her terms, not their own. I refuse to apologise for growing up. I refuse to make myself smaller to fit the unrealistic expectations of people who can’t handle seeing a girl become a woman. I will not be shamed for how I look, how I dress, or how I present myself.”

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