Social media and online suicide content contributed to Molly Russell's death
Molly took her own life in November 2017 after viewing suicide content online
Last updated 30th Sep 2022
Molly Russell died from an act of self-harm while suffering from "depression and the negative effects of online content", a coroner has found.
In a conclusion at North London Coroner's Court, Coroner Andrew Walker said: "Molly was at a transition period in her young life which made certain elements of communication difficult."
He added the 14-year-old was "exposed to material that may have influenced her in a negative way and, in addition, what had started as a depression had become a more serious depressive illness".
Mr Walker said he did not "think it would be safe" to leave suicide as a conclusion for himself to consider, instead finding Molly "died from an act of self-harm while suffering depression and the negative effects of online content".
Mr Walker concluded the online material viewed by the schoolgirl "was not safe" and "shouldn't have been available for a child to see".
The coroner said some of the content Molly viewed was "particularly graphic" and "normalised her condition," focusing on a "limited" view without any counter-balance.
He also said the opportunity to make social media safe must not "slip away", as he voiced concerns about platforms.
Molly's father hopes the inquest will be 'an important step in bringing much needed change'
Speaking outside North London Coroner's Court after the coroner's conclusion, Molly's father Ian Russell said: "In the last week we've heard much about one tragic story - Molly's story.
"Sadly, there are too many others similarly affected right now. At this point I just want to say however dark it seems, there is always hope, and if you're struggling please speak to someone you trust or one of the many wonderful support organisations, rather than engage with online content that may be harmful.
"Please do what you can to live long and stay strong."
In a statement released following the conclusion of the inquest, Ian Russell said: "Molly was a thoughtful, sweet-natured, caring, inquisitive, selfless, beautiful individual. Although a few words cannot possibly encapsulate our wonderful girl.
"Molly wanted all those she loved to live long and stay strong, we'd like to widen that invitation to include anyone who may be needing help.
"To anyone who has been affected by the issues raised in Molly's inquest, to anyone struggling, please remember that help is available, please find a way to seek it out, please take care when online.
"This past fortnight has been particularly painful for our family, we're missing Molly more agonisingly than usual, but we hope that the scrutiny this case has received will help prevent similar deaths encouraged by the disturbing content that is still to this day available on social media platforms including those run by Meta.
"Through the inquest we have seen just a fraction of the Instagram posts seen by my 14-year-old daughter Molly in 2017. "
Continuing his statement, Mr Russell said: "We have heard a senior Meta executive describe this deadly stream of content the platform's algorithms pushed to Molly as 'safe' and not contravening the platform's policies.
"If this demented trail of life-sucking content was safe, my daughter Molly would probably still be alive and instead of being a bereaved family of four, there would be five of us looking forward to a life full of purpose and promise that lay ahead for our adorable Molly.
"It's time the toxic corporate culture at the heart of the world's biggest social media platform changed. It's time for the Government's Online Safety Bill to urgently deliver its long-promised legislation.
"It's time to protect our innocent young people, instead of allowing platforms to prioritise their profits by monetising their misery.
"For the first time today, tech platforms have been formally held responsible for the death of a child.
"In the future, we as a family hope that any other social media companies called upon to assist an inquest follow the example of Pinterest, who have taken steps to learn lessons and have engaged sincerely and respectfully with the inquest process."
The inquest into Molly Russell's death
Over the course of her inquest, the court heard how the schoolgirl had viewed, engaged with and been recommended content relating to depression, self-harm and suicide on social media.
Mr Walker said: "It used to be the case that when a child came through the front door of their home it was to a place of safety.
"With the availability of the internet we brought into our homes a source of risk and we did so without appreciating the extent of that risk and if there is one benefit that can come from this inquest it must be to recognise that risk and take action to make sure that the risk that we have so embraced in our homes is kept away from children completely."
The inquest, the coroner said, had "provided a rare opportunity" to see "the extent to which that risk has invaded all aspects of young people's lives."
The coroner's concerns about social media
Mr Walker outlined a range of concerns about platforms, which were: a lack of separation of children and adults on social media; age verification and the type of content available and recommended by algorithms to children; insufficient parental oversight for under 18s.
He told the court he would prepare a report aimed at preventing future deaths after he draws his final conclusions about the teenager's death.
Representing Meta, Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC said the company "is ready to listen carefully to any concerns" while Pinterest's lawyer, Andrew O'Connor KC, said the platform was "committed to make improvements in this area".
Digital revolution like the industrial revolution
The Russell family's lawyer, Oliver Sanders KC, compared also the "unsafe practices" of the industrial revolution to the "digital revolution", adding "it is children who are the victims".
He also requested the coroner gives detailed findings of fact when he makes his conclusion on Friday, because there was a "particularly strong public interest" in the case.
Mr Sanders suggested to the coroner that he find that the material Molly viewed was "manifestly unsafe" and "on the balance of probabilities it caused or contributed to her death".
He told the court that content she viewed included a "litany of self-hate" which was "reflected in her notes almost word for word", suggesting it "shaped her actions".
Meta's response
“Our thoughts are with the Russell family and everyone who has been affected by this tragic death. We’re committed to ensuring that Instagram is a positive experience for everyone, particularly teenagers, and we will carefully consider the Coroner’s full report when he provides it. We’ll continue our work with the world’s leading independent experts to help ensure that the changes we make offer the best possible protection and support for teens.” - a Meta Spokesperson
Where to find help
If you need support for your mental health, or the mental health of someone close to you, you can find a host of national services using www.hubofhope.co.uk. If someone's life is in danger, always dial 999.