In a thought-provoking interview, Ian Russell, the father of Molly Russell who tragically took her own life after viewing harmful content online, has criticised calls for a blanket ban on social media use for under-16s. Speaking to the BBC, Mr. Russell cautioned that such a measure could have “unintended consequences” and “cause more problems” rather than addressing the root issues.
Mr. Russell’s comments come in the wake of growing political pressure to enact an Australia-style ban on social media access for minors. Health Secretary Wes Streeting has expressed support for such a move, while Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has pledged to implement a similar policy if her party wins the next election. However, Mr. Russell warned that bereaved families are “horrified” by the way politicians have sought to capitalise on the issue, stressing that it “should not be a party political issue.”
The father of Molly Russell, who died in 2017 after engaging with material linked to suicide and self-harm on various social media platforms, argued that the government should instead focus on enforcing the current laws and building upon existing safeguards. He suggested that a “sledgehammer” approach of banning social media for under-16s would fail to address the “successive shortcomings of tech companies and governments to act decisively and sooner.”
In a joint statement with the NSPCC and 5Rights Foundation, the Molly Rose Foundation, established in Molly’s memory, echoed Mr. Russell’s concerns. They warned that although “well-intentioned,” blanket bans on social media would “fail to deliver the improvement in children’s safety and wellbeing that they so urgently need.” Instead, the organisations called for decisive action to hold technology companies accountable and protect young people from preventable online harm.
As the debate over social media regulation for minors continues, the perspective of bereaved families like the Russells serves as a poignant reminder of the complex and deeply personal nature of the issue. With calls for action coming from across the political spectrum, the challenge remains to find balanced and effective solutions that prioritise the safety and wellbeing of young people without resorting to overly simplistic “sledgehammer” approaches.
