A mother who turned personal tragedy into a national campaign for children's online safety became emotional as she discussed her 'bittersweet' recognition in the King's New Year Honours List 2026.
A Campaign Born From Loss
Ellen Roome appeared virtually on BBC Breakfast on Tuesday, speaking to presenters Ben Thompson and Nina Warhurst. She has been awarded an MBE for her dedicated work advocating for safer online spaces for young people. Her mission began after the death of her 14-year-old son, Jools Sweeney, three years ago.
During the interview, Roome described the honour as a 'massive honour' but acknowledged the profound sadness underpinning it. "I never started any of my campaigning for any kind of recognition," she explained, her voice faltering. "It started with wanting answers for my son, and then I met all these other bereaved parents."
The Fight to Preserve Digital Evidence
Roome's central campaign focuses on changing the law to allow parents access to their deceased children's social media profiles. She is pushing for legislative amendments that would automatically preserve a child's digital data when they die, treating it as potential evidence.
"I really want it automatic, so that when a child dies, that data is preserved," she told the BBC. "If you don't need it, they don't need it. But, if a parent does, they can hopefully not be in my position now." Roome revealed she has been unable to fully mourn because the circumstances of Jools's death remain unclear, and access to his online data could provide vital answers.
Navigating Political Hurdles
The campaign has faced significant challenges. Roome admitted the toughest moments were hitting 'a brick wall', such as when her proposed change to a data use and access bill did not pass in Parliament. However, she confirmed there is hope on the horizon.
"In the House of Lords in January, it's being discussed to add to the crime and policing bill that when a child dies, their data is preserved," she stated. This represents her ultimate goal, which she believes is crucial for understanding many child deaths. Her objective is to compel tech giants to safeguard information from deceased users' profiles instead of allowing it to be deleted.
The emotional segment followed a report on another honouree, Betty Brown, recognised for her work on the Post Office wrongful prosecutions scandal.
