A mother who lost her son and suspects it was due to online dangers has criticized lawmakers for turning down a proposal to ban social media for individuals under 16 years old. Ellen Roome, whose 14-year-old son, Julian “Jools” Sweeney, passed away in unclear circumstances in 2022, expressed her disappointment at the rejection of the ban by MPs in a vote of 307 to 173.
Roome emphasized to legislators that the issue is not merely theoretical, cautioning that more youngsters will remain vulnerable to online risks during the three-month consultation period. She emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “I do not have any other children to protect. This is not about my own kids but about advocating for the safety of other children. I am resolute that we must not falter, and we must alter the legislation to shield more children.”
The government has affirmed that a decision on the social media ban for under-16s will be made following the conclusion of a consultation during the summer months. Labour veteran John McDonnell defied the government to support the ban, while over 100 MPs chose to abstain from voting.
Roome, currently in legal proceedings against TikTok along with other British families over their children’s deaths, stressed the real dangers posed by social media platforms. She highlighted the necessity for concrete actions prioritizing children’s safety over tech companies’ interests, emphasizing that a consultation is insufficient protection, leaving more children vulnerable.
In a united effort, Roome coordinated an open letter signed by 23 grieving parents criticizing Keir Starmer for his absence during the Commons vote on the social media ban. The letter challenged his leadership stance, accusing him of hesitating to protect children and prevent needless online fatalities.
The National Education Union (NEU), representing a vast number of school staff members, expressed disappointment over the rejection of the ban. NEU General Secretary Daniel Kebede urged the government to prioritize children’s well-being over Big Tech profits, advocating for raising the social media access age to 16.
The debate on a social media ban gained momentum in the UK after Australia implemented a similar measure last year, with Spain and other European nations considering comparable initiatives. However, experts, including the NSPCC and Ian Russell, the father of Molly Russell who tragically took her own life due to online harms, cautioned against rushing into a ban, fearing it may drive youngsters to more hazardous online spaces.
The government’s consultation aims to gather evidence on various approaches, including implementing a social media ban for individuals under 16, imposing curfews, restricting doom-scrolling, or limiting access to virtual private networks (VPNs). Additionally, Technology Secretary Liz Kendall has tasked Ofcom with identifying social media companies failing to implement measures safeguarding women and girls online.
