Ian Russell, whose daughter Molly tragically took her own life in 2017 after being exposed to harmful material online, has voiced strong disapproval regarding reports that the government is expediting new restrictions on young people's access to social media platforms. Speaking to the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, Mr Russell stated he was 'dismayed' and found the potential acceleration of such policies 'deplorable', suggesting the timing was politically motivated.
Mr Russell, a prominent campaigner for improved online safety, criticised what he perceives as a shift in approach. He recalled meeting with Sir Keir Starmer early last year, where the Labour leader reportedly promised to explore effective solutions for regulating the online world. However, Mr Russell now feels that neither of those promises has been kept, as the government appears poised to announce measures such as a ban on under-16s from 'high-risk' social media platforms, or a blanket ban similar to Australia's approach.
His concerns extend beyond the timing. While advocating for stronger online protections, Mr Russell has previously warned against 'sledgehammer techniques like bans', arguing that such measures could inadvertently create further problems. He believes that a more nuanced approach, focusing on better regulation and enforcement, is necessary to genuinely safeguard young people online.
Adding weight to his concerns, new research from the Molly Rose Foundation, established in his daughter's memory, highlights the ongoing challenge. A survey of 1,825 children aged 13-17 across the UK revealed that 47% of girls and a third of all teenagers in this age group encountered high-risk content related to suicide, self-harm, and eating disorders within a single week. This figure, at 34%, shows only a marginal decrease from 37% before the Online Safety Act came into force, suggesting its current impact on reducing exposure to harmful content is limited.
Mr Russell also expressed significant frustration with Ofcom, the media regulator tasked with enforcing the Online Safety Act. He claimed that in its first year of implementing child protection measures, Ofcom had 'achieved nothing much at all', describing their actions as 'too timid'. In response, Ofcom stated it has driven 'some of the strongest changes of any online safety regulation in the world', citing age checks, grooming protections, investigations into over 100 sites, and fines totalling £5 million. However, they acknowledged that 'the job is far from done'.
A Downing Street spokesperson responded to Mr Russell's comments by asserting that the Prime Minister has been clear that the 'status quo is not good enough' and that 'more needs to be done to protect children'. They reiterated that the government's focus is on 'protecting children', not politics, and confirmed that 'next steps' would be outlined in due course following a thorough consultation.