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Ian Russell, whose daughter Molly tragically died by suicide after viewing harmful content related to self-harm and suicide on social media, has expressed opposition to proposals that would ban under-16s from accessing these platforms. Speaking on BBC’s Newscast, Russell emphasized that the government should focus on enforcing existing legislation rather than resorting to broad bans. The foundation he established in Molly’s memory has joined multiple child-focused charities and online safety groups in issuing a joint statement opposing a blanket social media ban for young teenagers.
The discussion around restricting social media usage by under-16s has gained momentum following Australia’s introduction of such a ban in December. In the UK, the House of Lords is preparing to vote on a modified version of this proposal, potentially as part of the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill. Several members of the Labour Party expect the government to emulate Australia’s approach, while Health Secretary Wes Streeting has signaled support for the measure. Likewise, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has expressed intentions to introduce a ban if her party comes into power.
Despite these political moves, Russell voiced concerns about the political handling of the debate, highlighting that many bereaved families feel “horrified” by how the issue has become politicized. “Many of them have said things like: ‘this is not something that should be a party political issue,'” he remarked. Russell argued that instead of implementing what he called “sledgehammer techniques like bans,” the focus should be on holding companies accountable and enforcing the laws already in place more effectively.
Further caution around a social media ban was echoed in a joint statement signed by the Molly Rose Foundation, NSPCC, Parent Zone, Childnet, and mental health experts. They cautioned that such a ban may inadvertently cause risks to shift to other online spaces, offering a false assurance of safety. They advocate instead for a “broader and more targeted” strategy that includes stronger enforcement of existing protections, tougher age verification, and tailored restrictions based on the varying risks certain platforms pose. The statement also encourages enhancements to the Online Safety Act, urging that online experiences be age-appropriate much like films and video games are rated differently depending on their content
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