Statements from the UK Prime Minister's office or official government announcements

Ian Russell Urges UK PM to Strengthen Online Safety After Ofcom's 'Disaster' Implementation

Jan 11, 2025, 07:25 PM

Ian Russell, 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 criticized Ofcom's implementation of the Online Safety Act as a 'disaster', warning that without immediate action, children would be increasingly exposed to harmful content. As the chair of the Molly Rose Foundation, Russell highlighted a shift in the tech industry, noting that leaders like Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk are moving towards less stringent safety measures, which he believes prioritizes profit over safety. Russell called for a bolstered Online Safety Act and new legislation to address the 'reckless behaviors' of social media leadership. The government responded by acknowledging Russell's efforts and reaffirming its commitment to ensuring online safety for children.