Dad of schoolgirl who took personal life warns social media ban might price extra lives
Ian Russell, whose daughter Molly tragically took her own life aged just 14, has called on Keir Starmer to focus on demanding ‘tech tyrants’ ramp up safety – saying a blanket social media ban for kids will not work
Molly Russell tragically took her own life in 2017 after viewing dangerous posts on social media(Image: PA)
The dad of a 14-year-old who took her own life after viewing dangerous posts on social media has warned a ban for under-16s could end up costing more lives.
Ian Russell, whose daughter Molly died in 2017, called on Keir Starmer to reject quick fixes and make standing up to “tech tyrants” his legacy. Mr Russell said Australia’s ban on children using social media was “unravelling” and does not address the deeper need for platforms to bring in safety measures.
He told The Mirror that the PM must face down platforms which have failed to act for years – banning them in the UK altogether if they refuse to act. He said: “I have a hunch that Keir won’t chicken out, that he will stand up to the tech tyrants and that whether he’s Prime Minister at the next election or not, he will want to leave a legacy.
“And I think this is one of the things he might be working hard on so that people remember him as finally being the Prime Minister that delivered the online safety that we’re being promised by seven or eight previous Prime Ministers.”
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Speaking ahead of a meeting with the PM in Downing Street alongside other bereaved parents, Mr Russell said banning under-16s from using social media would create a false sense of security. And it could cost more lives as children would instead migrate to darker corners of the web – and be less likely to reach out for help, he warned.
He said of a potential ban, similar to the one in Australia: “It pushes children potentially towards unregulated sites, it leaves them feeling outlawed. Young people are very good at hacking their way around the system.
“If they found sites when they’re under 16 that the law says they shouldn’t be on, they’re even less likely to reach out for help if they’ve come across harmful content.” And he continued: “Anything that makes that harder and drives a wedge between the generations and pushes people into a space of being outlawed, will just make the chances slimmer and therefore will cost lives.”
He pointed to research showing 60% of young people under the age of 16 in Australia are still finding ways to access platforms despite the ban. He said: “They don’t feel any better protected, they don’t feel any safer.
“So a blanket under-16 social media ban can present a false sense of security. Parents might think, ‘oh well, kids are safe now’. When they probably won’t be. It’s already beginning to unravel, because it’s not effective.
“Let’s not penalise young people. Let’s penalise the platforms. They should be safe before they release it to the public.” Mr Russell called on politicians to be brave and demand more from tech giants – even if that means threatening an outright ban in the UK.
“The elected leaders should speak out boldly and bravely against the unelected and unaccountable technocrats of the world, who are more powerful and have deeper pockets than many nations,” he said.
“If they choose a quick fix that doesn’t work, it will be a matter of weeks rather than months before we can say ‘look, it’s not working’, because that’s what’s happening in Australia. So I hope that Keir and the government have the courage of their convictions, live up to their promises and take the effective and evidence-based actions that we know will deliver greater safety than the blanket ban.”
Molly tragically took her own life after being exposed to posts relating to suicide and self harm on sites including Instagram. Mr Russell said that similar content is still accessible to young people on social media today.
“It might be slightly harder to find, but it’s it’s easy to find,” he said. “Young people find it readily and if they start seeing it, the algorithms amplify. The same algorithmic amplification is happening today as it was in 2016 when Molly was stumbling into this harmful content. And that’s just not good enough.
“Things have to change. So I understand there’s an outcry and calls for a ban at first. It sounds simple and comforting and it might do good. It doesn’t take long before you think about it to realise how ineffective it will be and that cruel sense of security it will provide is a danger.”
His view was echoed by Paul Whiteman, general secretary of school leaders’ union the NAHT. He said: “Focusing on a social media ban at the expense of broader action to ensure companies get their houses in order, would risk letting them off the hook.”
Where to get help and support
Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Signposting
- 24/7 NHS Mental health response line: For support and advice. Call free any time, day or night if you are worried about your own or someone else’s mental health. The team behind the 24/7 open access telephone response line will listen to you and determine how best to help. t: 111
- Samaritans: When life is difficult, Samaritans are here to listen – day or night, 365 days a year. No judgement, no pressure. You can call them for free on 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org
