Molly Russell’s father says social media ban for under-16s can be incorrect | EUROtoday

The father of Molly Russell has stated that banning under-16s from utilizing social media can be incorrect and will have unintended penalties.

Ian Russell, whose 14-year-old daughter took her personal life after viewing dangerous content material on social media, stated the federal government ought to implement the present legislation relatively than implement “sledgehammer techniques like bans”.

Speaking to the BBC, he suggested the ban could have “unintended consequences” and would “cause more problems”.

He said: “That has got to change – and I don’t think that we’re that far away from it changing it which is why it’s slightly exasperating that we’re going through these same arguments again now about bans.

“It’s not far away – we can build on what we’ve got far better than simply implementing sledgehammer techniques like bans that will have unintended consequences and cause more problems.”

His comments come after Sir Keir Starmer has faced calls to place restrictions on under-16s accessing social media platforms in recent weeks, but has so far resisted, instead saying it is monitoring how a similar ban in Australia is working.

Molly, from Harrow, north-west London, engaged with material linked to suicide and self-harm on various social media platforms before her death in November 2017.

An inquest in 2022 found social media content contributed “more than minimally” to Molly’s death.

Her father has established the Molly Rose Foundation, named after Molly’s middle name, which aims to enhance internet safety for young people.

In a joint statement with NSPCC and 5 Rights Foundation, The Molly Russell Foundation said: “We undoubtedly need action to protect children from preventable online harm. Parents are right to demand that the Government stands on the side of children and families, and finally call time on tech giants being able to treat children’s lives and wellbeing as someone else’s concern.”

They warned that though “well-intentioned”, blanket bans on social media would “fail to deliver the improvement in children’s safety and wellbeing that they so urgently need.”

They added: “They are a blunt response that fails to address the successive shortcomings of tech companies and governments to act decisively and sooner.”

Health Secretary Wes Streeting steered this week that he was in favour of a social media ban for under-16s and advised Sky News: “I’m certainly in favour of action in this area”.

Meanwhile, Conservative chief Kemi Badenoch has stated she would carry one in if her occasion received the subsequent election.

Mr Russell advised the BBC that bereaved households are “horrified” on the means politicians had capitalised on the difficulty.

He stated: “Many of them have said things like: ‘this is not something that should be a party political issue’.”

Australia’s authorities has banned social media use by under-16s, over fears in regards to the results of dangerous on-line environments on younger folks.

Since the legislation was enacted in Australia, 4.7 million accounts have been recognized as belonging to kids.

The legislation has provoked fraught debates in Australia about know-how use, privateness, little one security and psychological well being and has prompted different international locations to think about related measures.