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Molly Russell inquest: Family urges action on harmful content Molly Russell: Dad wants no further delay to online harm bill
(about 1 hour later)
Molly Russell was aged 14 when she took her own lifeMolly Russell was aged 14 when she took her own life
The father of Molly Russell says "there is no time for delay" in legislating to stop children seeing harmful content.The father of Molly Russell says "there is no time for delay" in legislating to stop children seeing harmful content.
An inquest found social media material contributed "more than minimally" to Molly's death in 2017 from an act of self-harm while suffering depression.An inquest found social media material contributed "more than minimally" to Molly's death in 2017 from an act of self-harm while suffering depression.
The coroner ruled she saw images that "shouldn't have been available" to her. Despite being reassured the Online Safety Bill would not be watered down Ian Russell said he remained concerned that the bill could be delayed further.
Ian Russell said: "It's clear to me that the age of self regulation on internet platforms must be ended for the sake and safety of our children." He added that self-regulation "must be ended" to protect children.
"It's clear to me that the age of self regulation on internet platforms must be ended for the sake and safety of our children," he said.
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The current government has said that they want the UK to be the safest place in the world to be online and yet we're still here and we're not regulating the platforms.He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The current government has said that they want the UK to be the safest place in the world to be online and yet we're still here and we're not regulating the platforms.
"I think it's really important, firstly, that something that is illegal in the offline world must be illegal and we must be better protected when it's found on the online world."I think it's really important, firstly, that something that is illegal in the offline world must be illegal and we must be better protected when it's found on the online world.
"And I think the hardest thing that the online safety bill is tackling is perhaps this content that's described as 'legal but harmful'.""And I think the hardest thing that the online safety bill is tackling is perhaps this content that's described as 'legal but harmful'."
Ian Russell has campaigned for a safer online world for children since his daughter's death Ian Russell says families should talk directly about concerns
Andrew Walker, the senior coroner for north London, said Molly, from Harrow, north London, appeared a healthy girl who was flourishing at school, having settled well into secondary school life, and displayed an enthusiastic interest in the performing arts. Mr Russell revealed the new culture secretary, Michelle Donelan, called him last week "to reassure me that the government took this [Online Safety Bill] very seriously and it wasn't going be... watered down".
However, Molly had become depressed, something common in children of this age, the coroner said. The inquest was told her condition worsened into a depressive illness. The Online Safety Bill aims to lay down rules in law about how platforms should deal with harmful content.
Andrew Walker, the senior coroner for north London, said Molly, from Harrow, north London, appeared as a healthy girl who was flourishing at school, having settled well into secondary school life and displaying an enthusiastic interest in the performing arts.
However, Molly had become depressed, something common in children of this age, the coroner said. The inquest was told her condition worsened into a depressive illness.
"She died from an act of self-harm while suffering from depression and the negative effects of online content," the coroner said.
"She had access to images, video clips and text concerned with self-harm and suicide, or that were otherwise negative or depressing in nature."
The coroner ruled she saw images that "shouldn't have been available for a child to see".
If you've been affected by self-harm or emotional distress, help and support is available via the BBC Action LineIf you've been affected by self-harm or emotional distress, help and support is available via the BBC Action Line
Mr Russell also described the impact the inquest has had on his family. Mr Russell also paid tribute to his daughter.
He said: "When the verdict came in, I think we were quite numb and we're still processing it. He said: "She was one of the most endearing, gorgeous, extraordinary people. She was so insightful, I couldn't wait to see what she was going to do.
He revealed that although he was pleased with the coroner's conclusions, the inquest itself had affected his family.
"When the verdict came in, I think we were quite numb and we're still processing it.
"It was exhausting for us as a family. It was two weeks in court, but five years since Molly died."It was exhausting for us as a family. It was two weeks in court, but five years since Molly died.
"It's just an extraordinary, overwhelming grief that I think probably is one of the strongest emotions that anyone can ever feel. Molly saw content that "shouldn't have been available for a child to see" the coroner said
"So, the inquest itself couldn't compete with those early days of of huge grief and just struggling to get by second by second sometimes. "When it's the death of your youngest child who has ended their own life, it's just an extraordinary overwhelming grief which is the strongest anyone can ever feel.
"So the inquest itself couldn't compete with those early days of of huge grief and just struggling to get by second by second sometimes.
"But it really did reconnect us with those moments and remind us how much we miss Molly and how much we wish she hadn't seen that content and that she was still with us.""But it really did reconnect us with those moments and remind us how much we miss Molly and how much we wish she hadn't seen that content and that she was still with us."
In her own words - Molly Russell's secret Twitter account
He also urged families to create an environment where issues can be openly discussed.
He added: "I think the most important thing as a family is to find a way to cross the generations so that the parents can keep a channel of communication going with their children.
"That transition that happens from being a child to being an adult, those teenage years, are some of the hardest years we all live through.
"It's really important to try and not push anything that's a wedge between the generations and try and keep talking about mental health, talking about suicide if you need to.
"It's more safe to talk about suicide. If you have worries about a child, I've learned since Molly's death, don't keep them to yourself, be direct and talk directly to your child about it.
"My prime reason for doing this is to prevent other fathers, families and sisters going through this."
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