Molly Russell’s schoolfriends demand online safety for young people at Downing Street

Molly Russell’s friends and dad today delivered a letter to Government demanding decisive action to make children safe online.

The letter, signed by over 1,300 Molly Rose Foundation supporters, was hand delivered to Number 10 by Ian Russell and his daughter Molly’s schoolfriends Archie, Charlotte, Regis and Sophie.

Molly was 14 when she took her own life after being bombarded with online content that normalised depression, self-harm and suicide.

Research by Molly Rose Foundation shows the same type of addictive and aggressive algorithmically suggested content continues to harm young people today.

The Harmful Tech Is Not Inevitable campaign was delivered just one day before the King’s speech, and calls for safe apps that are age-appropriate and political action to take on Big Tech to make safety and wellbeing a priority.

It also urges the Government to commit to a new Online Safety Act and to take action off the back of its ongoing consultation into children’s online safety.

The letter comes amid Government uncertainty, with Molly Rose Foundation warning that this cannot mean online safety is allowed to slip down the agenda.

The campaign was launched following the release of Molly Vs the Machines, a documentary film that shows how social media platforms put profit before safety and exposed Molly to a dark world of harmful content which played a significant role in her death.

Molly Rose Foundation recently released the Roadmap for a Better Online Future, which details a new online safety settlement for children, parents and families by setting out a five-point plan to take quick, bold and effective action on preventable online harms.

Recent Molly Rose Foundation polling also revealed a majority of Australian children still use restricted social media apps despite the ban for under-16s. They want a strengthened Online Safety Act to go further than a blanket ban and tackles harm at source on all platforms, including gaming and AI.

Molly’s dad and Chair of Molly Rose Foundation, Ian Russell, said: “Parents are united in wanting to see change to protect children from appalling harm online and now we bring that demand to Downing Street.

“I’m proud to stand with Molly’s friends and to campaign in her name to ensure no more lives are needlessly lost.

“It is crucial that Government push forward with robust and evidence based action to finally deliver for parents and children across the country and that this is prioritised amidst the current political turmoil.”

Molly Rose Foundation Chief Executive Andy Burrows said: “The mandate from the public is clear that decisive action is needed to protect children online and end the status quo that puts profit before safety.

“It is vital that online safety is not allowed to slip down the agenda as uncertainty in Government hits the headlines while the consultation continues.

“Parents and children deserve swift action off the back of the consultation as a downpayment on a new Online Safety Act that makes safety and wellbeing the price for doing business in the UK.”

Molly’s friend Charlotte said: “Young people are having to fight an algorithm that was built to keep them hooked online, whilst also making them feel worse.

“By strengthening social media regulations and ensuring tech companies follow strict guidelines, young people can enjoy social media without being made to feel insecure, depressed and worthless.”