Plans to make encouraging self-harm online illegal have been backed by a charity set up in memory of a teenager who died after viewing content related to suicide, depression and anxiety.
The Molly Rose Foundation – established after the death of Molly Russell – said the proposal to amend the Online Safety Bill appeared to be a “significant move”.
The update will outlaw communications that encourage people to physically harm themselves – in line with laws on communications that encourage suicide.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said the update was influenced by the tragic death of schoolgirl Molly, 14 – who died following “an act of self-harm while suffering from depression and the negative effects of online content”, an inquest heard.
Culture Secretary Michelle Donelan has vowed to bring to justice “abhorrent trolls encouraging the young and vulnerable to self-harm”.
“I am strengthening our online safety laws to make sure these vile acts are stamped out and the perpetrators face jail time,” she said.
And she warned social media firms can “no longer remain silent bystanders”.
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“They’ll face fines for allowing this abusive and destructive behaviour to continue on their platforms under our laws,” Ms Donelan added.
The draft bill aims to establish a new way to regulate online content – including abusive messages, bullying and pornography – and will place obligations on companies to keep people safe, while also protecting users’ rights to freedom of expression and privacy.
It is due to return to Parliament in early December after a series of delays and updates.
The proposal on self-harm is expected to be included in amendments to the bill – but the DCMS has yet to confirm when they will be tabled.
Image: Molly Russell. Pic: Russell family
‘Vital matters we need to get right for the sake of young people’
The Molly Russell Foundation said any changes to the bill should not hinder its progress.
“The proposal to introduce a new criminal offence of ‘encouraging self-harm’ within the draft Online Safety Bill appears a significant move”, a spokesperson said.
“It not only criminalises those who do the encouraging, but also turns this activity into an illegal offence – which means that even if the harmful but legal clauses in the bill are removed or curtailed, such content would still be legislated against.”
“Harmful but legal content” probably did the most damage to Molly’s mental health, according to evidence submitted to her inquest, the charity said.
“It’s important that other ‘harmful but legal’ content, of the type we know was harmful to Molly, is also within the scope of the bill.
“Any changes to the current bill should not delay its progress to the (House of) Lords, to allow sufficient time for scrutiny and debate there, since the devil will be in the detail.
“These are complex and vital matters we need to get right for the sake of young people in the future.”
Molly’s father, Ian Russell, earlier told Sky News he wants tech companies to cooperate more with law enforcement and coroners by preserving and handing over data sooner.
More details around the maximum penalty for the offence will be revealed in due course.
Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab said: “Lives and families have been devastated by those who encourage vulnerable internet users to self-harm.
“Our changes will ensure the full force of the law applies to those callous and reckless individuals who try to manipulate the vulnerable online in this way.”
Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. In the US, call the Samaritans branch in your area or 1 (800) 273-TALK
Two people who died following a fire at a caravan site near Skegness have been named by police.
Lincolnshire Police said 48-year-old Lee Baker and his 10-year-old daughter Esme Baker, both from the Nottingham area, were killed in the blaze.
However, formal identification is still yet to take place and “could take some time”, the force said.
Emergency services were alerted to a fire at Golden Beach Holiday Park, in the village of Ingoldmells, at 3.53am on Saturday.
In a statement issued through police, a member of the Baker family said: “Lee and Esme were excited to be spending the first weekend of the holidays together.
“We are all utterly devastated at what’s happened.
“This loss is incomprehensible at the moment, and we ask for people to give us space to process this utterly heartbreaking loss.”
A GoFundMe page set up for the victims’ family described the father and daughter as “two peas in a pod” who were “both happy-go-lucky people who loved life”. It has so far raised more than £3,000.
The police force, together with Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue, are continuing to investigate the cause of the blaze.
Detective Inspector Lee Nixon said: “We believe we might be close to arriving at a working hypothesis.
“We are working hard to validate the facts available to us to be able to provide answers for the family and loved ones of those who were very tragically taken by this fire.
“Yet the evident intensity of the fire has made this task incredibly challenging.”
Dan Moss, from Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue, said: “Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the family at this time.
“Our Fire Investigation Team is working with colleagues from Lincolnshire Police, and a full investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing.
“Once investigations are complete, local fire crews and our community fire safety team will be on hand to talk to people in the area and address any fire safety concerns they may have, at what will be an upsetting time.”
A man has been arrested by police investigating a “significant” wildfire that triggered a major incident in Northern Ireland.
More than 100 firefighters and 15 fire appliances were deployed on Saturday to Sandbank Road, Hilltown, to tackle the blaze which is believed to have been caused deliberately, fire chiefs said.
Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) said the fire had a front of approximately two miles “including a large area of forestry close to property”.
It was extinguished at 2.53am on Sunday and the major incident status lifted, the NIFRS said.
“The cause of this fire is believed to have been deliberate,” chief fire and rescue officer Aidan Jennings said.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland said on Sunday that a 25-year-old man had been arrested “on suspicion of arson being reckless as to whether life would be endangered, and non-related driving offences”.
“He remains in custody at this time as enquiries continue into the circumstances surrounding the fire,” the force added.
Image: The wildfire on Sandbank Road, Hilltown. Pic: Sky Watch NI
Image: More than 100 firefighters were at the scene of the fire. Pic: Sky Watch NI
On Saturday, helicopters were deployed to tackle Scotland’s fourth wildfire this week, with police saying a blaze “which started in the Newton Stewart area has spread northwards and is expected to reach the Loch Doon area of East Ayrshire around 12am on Sunday”.
Police Scotland added: “As a precautionary measure members of the public are asked to avoid the Loch Doon area and anyone who may be camping in the area is advised to leave.”
Image: Moors Valley Country Park blackened by fires this week
Elsewhere in England, Devon and Cornwall Police said they were assisting the fire service with temporary road closures on the A30 in the Bolventor area as they tackle “a number of fires” on moorland.
In Dorset, Moors Valley Country Park was forced to close after multiple wildfires broke out there on Wednesday.
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Wildfires spread across nature reserve
Separate incidents were then reported at Upton Heath in Poole on Wednesday, and nearby Canford Heath in the early hours of Thursday.
Friday was officially the warmest day of the year so far – with temperatures in the south of England reaching 23C (73.4F) – the highest since 21 September last year, according to the Met Office.
Police are investigating after a man was shot dead in County Durham.
Officers were called to an address in Elm Street, Stanley, at about 5.20pm on Saturday after reports of a “disturbance”, Durham Constabulary said.
A man in his 50s was found to have been shot and despite the efforts of paramedics he was pronounced dead at the scene.
His family have been told and are being supported by specially trained officers.
Specialist crime scene investigators are at the scene, and officers are carrying out house-to-house enquiries.
A cordon is in place and is expected to stay there for some time.
Detective Superintendent Neil Fuller said: “This is a truly shocking incident in which a man has been shot and has sadly died.”
He added: “Residents may see an increased police presence in the area. I would like to thank them for their support while we carry out this investigation.
“Our thoughts are with the man’s family at this time.”