THE dad of tragic Molly Russell says social media giants must be forced to hand over data — as experts accuse them of fuelling record cases of self-harm among children.
Twitter and Facebook should be taxed to fund research into the problem, a Royal College of Psychiatrists’ report also says.
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Molly, 14, from Harrow, North West London, killed herself in 2017 after viewing graphic content on Facebook-owned Instagram and Pinterest.
Dad Ian writes in the report: “I have no doubt that social media helped kill my daughter.
“Without research using their data we will never know how content can lead our children to self-harm or, in the most tragic cases, take their own lives.”
He has called for a law to let parents view their dead children’s phone — given he has been locked out of Molly’s iPhone.
And last November the coroner ordered social media companies to hand over material that could shed light on the case.
A quarter of suicides in young Brits come after viewing harmful content online.
Her final note
MOLLY’S dad Ian rips into the online giants and reveals some of her final thoughts in a heart- rending foreword to the report.
He said after the “wrecking ball of suicide”, the family searched her social media and found “bleak depressive material”, graphic self-harm content and suicide-encouraging memes.
He writes: “I have no doubt that social media helped kill my daughter.” Mr Russell also detailed one of Molly’s last notes which described how she felt “with heartbreaking clarity”.
She wrote: “I’m the weird sister, quiet daughter, depressed friend, lonely classmate.
“I’m nothing, I’m worthless, I’m numb, I’m lost, I’m weak, I’m gone. I’m sorry. I’ll see you in a little while. I love you all so much. Have a happy life. Stay strong xxx.”
Last autumn Instagram pledged to remove images, cartoons and drawings showing methods of self-harm or suicide.
The move coincided with Ian visiting Silicon Valley in California to discuss online safety with the US giants. He also spoke to schoolkids in New York to warn them of the dangers.
And half of older teenage girls with mental health problems have also self-harmed.
Report author Dr Bernadka Dubicka warned algorithms “seem to push more and more harmful content” once it is seen.
She said self-regulation was not working, adding: “I am seeing more and more children self-harming and attempting suicide as a result of social media use and online discussions.
“We will never understand the risks and benefits unless the likes of Twitter and Facebook share data with researchers.”
Tom Madders, from charity YoungMinds, and Claire Murdoch, NHS director for mental health said action was crucial.
The Government said it was developing “world-leading” plans including a duty of care on online firms, overseen by an independent regulator.”
Facebook said: “We are already taking steps recommended in this report. We remove harmful content from our platforms and work with groups such as the Samaritans to develop guidelines.”
YOU’RE NOT ALONE
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost – to suicide.
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes. And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet, it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun today launches the You’re Not Alone campaign. To remind anyone facing a tough time, grappling with mental illness or feeling like there’s nowhere left to turn, that there is hope.
To mark World Suicide Prevention Day, over the course of this week, we will tell you the stories of brave survivors, relatives left behind, heroic Good Samaritans – and share tips from mental health experts.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others.
You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
