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Molly Russell: Sector supports coroner's recommendations to protect children online

3 mins read Health
Digital safety experts have welcomed a report urging social media providers to better protect children online after a coroner ruled exposure to harmful content contributed to the death of a 14-year-old girl.
Coroner Andrew Walker ruled the the 'negative effects' of social media contributed to Molly Russell's death. Picture: Leigh Day solicitors
Coroner Andrew Walker ruled the the 'negative effects' of social media contributed to Molly Russell's death. Picture: Leigh Day solicitors

Coroner Andrew Walker told an inquest, held at North London Coroner's Court, that unsafe online content contributed to Molly Russell's death "in a more than minimal way".

Recording a narrative verdict, he ruled that the 14-year-old "died from an act of self-harm while suffering depression and the negative effects of online content".

The inquest heard that, prior to her death in 2017, Molly was exposed to extensive harmful content across various online platforms, relating to depression, self-harm and suicide.

Hannah Ruschen, senior child safety online policy officer at NSPCC, described Walker's decision as a “landmark ruling” due to his acknowledgement of the dangers of online harms.

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