Social Media Fails to Protect Kids

The father of Molly Russell, a young girl who tragically took her own life, has criticized major social media platforms for their inadequate response to harmful content. He claims these companies are "sitting on their hands" and failing to protect children from dangerous material. Research conducted by the Molly Rose Foundation, which he chairs, revealed that over 95% of content moderation actions regarding suicide and self-harm were taken by only two platforms, Pinterest and TikTok, while others like Facebook and Instagram showed inconsistent responses. The Foundation's study analyzed over 12 million moderation decisions across six major platforms, concluding that the measures in place are "unfit for purpose." Mr. Russell emphasized the urgent need for more robust regulations, urging the government to strengthen the Online Safety Act. He expressed concern that social media giants continue to expose children to preventable harm despite their assurances of safety. In response to the findings, a spokesperson for Meta acknowledged that content promoting self-harm violates their policies but noted limitations in their ability to enforce measures in the EU. Meanwhile, Snapchat reiterated its commitment to user safety, stating that it swiftly removes harmful content when identified. The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology also highlighted the responsibility of social media companies to ensure effective safety measures for their users. The ongoing debate underscores the pressing need for accountability and action from social media platforms to safeguard young users from harmful influences.