47% of girls 13-17 saw high-risk content in a week; suicide and self-harm exposure fell 3 points

Research published this week by the Molly Rose Foundation found that 47% of girls aged 13 to 17 encountered high-risk content during a seven-day period. A separate survey of 1,825 children showed 34% of teenagers aged 13-17 saw high-risk suicide, self-harm and eating disorder content in a week, down from 37% before new safety measures came into force last summer.

The Online Safety Act, passed in 2013, requires social media companies to find and remove child sexual abuse material.

Ofcom stated it has introduced age checks and grooming protections, opened investigations into more than 100 sites and apps, and issued fines totalling £5 million. Ian Russell, whose daughter Molly died by suicide at age 14 in 2017 after viewing harmful content online, said an inquest found social media content contributed more than minimally to her death.

He met Keir Starmer early last year and was promised effective solutions.

Russell said that in opposition Keir Starmer had promised to tighten online safety regulation and had told a group of bereaved parents an announcement would come by the summer recess in mid-July. A government consultation on proposals to ban social media for under-16s closed on 26 May.

Russell stated he believes the announcement was moved forward for a political reason and warned that “sledgehammer techniques like bans” would only cause more problems.

He said he is “quite frankly dismayed” that the prime minister appears not to have kept earlier promises. The Australian government implemented a ban last year on all children under-16 using TikTok, X, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, and Threads.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy stated on Sky News that a social media ban is not a “silver bullet solution” but evidence from Australia shows it has a “significant” role.

A Downing Street spokesperson stated the government undertook a thorough consultation and will set out next steps in due course. The spokesperson added that the prime minister has said the status quo is not good enough and more must be done to protect children. A £5 million programme will fund after-school clubs including music groups and sports clubs.