Ian Russell, the father of 14-year-old Molly Russell, has called for the Online Safety Bill to be passed without further delay, warning that children remain at risk from harmful online content. An inquest concluded that social media material contributed 'more than minimally' to Molly's suicide in 2017.
Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Russell expressed concern that the bill could be delayed despite reassurances from the new culture secretary, Michelle Donelan, that it would not be watered down. He stressed that online platforms must stop self-regulating and that content illegal offline should be illegal online.
The Online Safety Bill aims to establish legal rules for how platforms handle harmful content. Mr Russell said the hardest aspect is tackling 'legal but harmful' material. The coroner for north London ruled that Molly had accessed images and videos related to self-harm and suicide that 'shouldn't have been available for a child to see'.
Mr Russell described the inquest as exhausting and reconnecting the family with their grief. He urged families to maintain open communication about mental health and suicide, saying: 'If you have worries about a child, don't keep them to yourself, be direct and talk directly to your child about it.'
