The Government has upgraded self-harm offences under the Online Safety following campaigning by Molly Rose Foundation.
The announcement by the new Technology Secretary Liz Kendall means encouraging or assisting serious self harm will now be a priority offence under the legislation.
This should result in companies having to do more to disrupt this type of harm and Ofcom having a greater focus on the issue in order to hold firms to account where they fail.
Molly Rose Foundation campaigned for self-harm offences to be upgraded to a priority harm under the Online Safety Act in response to the prevalence of COM networks which groom children into suicide and self-harm.
There have been at least five warnings from global law enforcement relating to these groups, including from the NCA, with two from the FBI and warnings from Europol and the Canadian Mounted Police.
Andy Burrows, Chief Executive of Molly Rose Foundation, said: “Coercing and grooming young people to harm themselves is now at the frontline of self-harm risks online and presents a growing and sadistic threat to children.
“Molly Rose Foundation has long called for self-harm offences to be considered a priority harm under the Online Safety Act so we strongly welcome the Government’s action in the face of this rapidly increasing threat.
“Ofcom must now act swiftly and robustly to better respond to the threat of online self-harm offences otherwise the most vulnerable children will continue to be exposed to truly despicable yet preventable harm.”
If you’re struggling just text MRF to 85258 so you can speak to a trained volunteer from Shout, the UK’s Crisis Text Line service.
