Prince William calls for improved online safety following coroner’s verdict on Molly Russell’s death | UK News
Prince William has called for improved online safety for children after a coroner ruled social media contributed to the death of 14-year-old Molly Russell.
The Prince of Wales said: “No parent should have to go through what Ian Russell and his family have to go through. They are incredibly brave. Online safety for our children and young people needs to be. is a prerequisite, not an afterthought”.
The schoolgirl from Harrow, north-west London, was found dead in her bedroom after viewing content related to suicide, depression and anxiety online.
Andrew Walker, the coroner, said he did not “think it would be safe” to consider suicide the cause of her death, choosing instead to self-harm.
Delivering his findings on Friday, he said: “Molly is at a transitional stage in her young life that makes some elements of communication difficult.”
She was “exposed to material that may have affected her in a negative way and, in addition, what started as a depression has turned into a more severe depressive illness,” he said. told North London Coroners Court.