Molly Russell’s father says social media ban for under-16s would be wrong
Molly Russell’s father has said banning under-16s from using social media would be wrong and could lead to unintended consequences.
Ian Russell, whose 14-year-old daughter committed suicide after seeing harmful content on social media, said the government should enforce existing law rather than employing “sledgehammer techniques such as banning”.
Speaking to the BBC, he suggested the ban could lead to “unintended consequences” and “cause more problems”.
He said: “This needs to change and I don’t think we’re that far away from changing it, so it’s a bit frustrating that we’re now having the same debate about bans again.
“This is not far off; we can develop things that are much better than applying simple sledgehammer techniques such as bans, which will have unintended consequences and cause more problems.”
His comments come after Sir Keir Starmer has faced calls in recent weeks to restrict under-16s’ access to social media platforms, but has so far resisted and instead said he was watching how a similar ban would work in Australia.
Molly, from Harrow, north-west London, was engaging in material linked to suicide and self-harm on various social media platforms before her death in November 2017.
An investigation in 2022 found that social media content contributed “more than minimally” to Molly’s death.
Her father founded the Molly Rose Foundation, named after Molly’s middle name, which aims to improve young people’s internet safety.
In a joint statement with the Molly Russell Foundation, the NSPCC and the 5 Rights Foundation, she said: “We undoubtedly need to take action to protect children from preventable online harm. Parents are right to demand that the Government stand up for children and families, and finally, to ensure that tech giants make time to treat children’s lives and welfare as someone else’s concern.”
They warned that blanket bans on social media, although “well-intentioned”, “will not deliver the improvement in children’s safety and well-being that they urgently need”.
They added: “These are a clear response that fails to address the repeated failure of technology companies and governments to act decisively and sooner.”
Health Minister Wes Streeting this week suggested he was in favor of banning social media for under-16s, saying: Sky News: “I am definitely in favor of taking action in this area.”
Meanwhile, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch said she would introduce one if her party wins the next election.
Mr Russell told the BBC that bereaved families were “horrified” at the way politicians were exploiting the issue.
He said: “A lot of them said things like: ‘This isn’t something that should be a party political issue.'”
The Australian government has banned the use of social media by under-16s due to fears about the effects of harmful online environments on young people.
Since the law came into force in Australia, 4.7 million accounts have been found to belong to children.
The law has sparked alarming debates about technology use, privacy, child safety and mental health in Australia, and has encouraged other countries to take similar measures.
