Molly Russell's father says under-16 social media ban would be wrong

Ian Russell said banning under-16s from social media would be wrong and called for stronger enforcement of existing laws; the House of Lords will vote on a related amendment next week.

Ian Russell, whose daughter died by suicide in 2017 after viewing self-harm content online, has said a blanket ban on under-16s using social media would be the wrong approach. He told BBC Newscast the government should focus on enforcing laws already in place rather than impose broad age bans. The Molly Rose Foundation and other children's charities have signed a joint statement opposing a blanket ban and calling for more targeted, age-appropriate measures. Parliament is now set to debate an amendment and the House of Lords will vote next week. Key facts: - Russell's daughter died in 2017 after viewing suicide and self-harm content online, and he has since campaigned for improved online protections for children. - The Molly Rose Foundation, NSPCC, Childnet and other organisations signed a joint statement saying a blanket under-16 social media ban would be the wrong solution and could push risks to other online areas. - A vote on a possible amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill is scheduled in the House of Lords next week, and government ministers have not ruled out a ban. Summary: Bereaved families and several child safety groups have publicly opposed a blanket under-16 social media ban and called for robust enforcement of existing law along with targeted, age-appropriate protections. A House of Lords vote on an amendment is planned next week and the final outcome is undetermined at this time.