Too little has changed and it is costing young lives

Dad's plea to get online harm law moving

- SOPHIE HUSKISSON

Tragic daughter exposed to sick content

MOLLY Russell was exposed to a barrage of harmful online content before her suicide, but seven years on her dad claims little has been done to cut the risks to kids.

And Ian Russell warned delays to regulating social media is costing lives. He also urged Rishi Sunak to strengthen the Online Safety Act, amid accusations it is too soft.

It became law in October but regulator Ofcom cannot use new powers to hold tech giants to account until the end of a lengthy consultation on updating its guidance.

Ian said: "The cost of being slow in terms of online regulation is paid for in young human lives.

"Almost astonishingly, and really quite tragically, too little has changed. In some respects, the risks for teens have actually got worse.

"It's a matter of urgency for the next government that they pursue strengthening the Bill and repairing problems that have been identified so we have a chance of keeping up with the pace of change that is set by the tech industry, which is lightning fast.

"I would call on Keir Starmer, if it is to be him. I'd call on Rishi Sunak, if it is to be him. I'd call on them not to neglect this and to finish the job because it would be really, really tragic to leave this half-done."

Molly, of Harrow, North West London, died aged 14 in November 2017.