Ofcom's official publications and announcements

Ian Russell Urges UK PM to Strengthen Online Safety Regulations Amid Tech Giants' Shift

Jan 12, 2025, 01:10 AM

Ian Russell, the father of Molly Russell, who died by suicide after viewing harmful content online, has urged UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to strengthen online safety regulations. In a letter to Starmer, Russell, as the chair of the Molly Rose Foundation, criticized the implementation of the Online Safety Act by Ofcom as a 'disaster', warning that without legislative changes, the volume of harmful content accessible to children could increase dramatically. He highlighted recent moves by tech giants, such as Meta's decision to abandon fact-checking, as indicative of a broader shift away from safety measures towards a more permissive model. Russell called for a new regulatory framework that prioritizes harm reduction and includes a duty of care for tech companies. The government has acknowledged the need for ongoing review and potential future legislation to address online safety, with Technology Secretary Peter Kyle emphasizing the importance of adapting laws to keep pace with technological advancements.