Jail threat to trolls who urge kids to self-harm

THE encouragement of self-harm is to be made a criminal offence following a campaign by the family of Molly Russell.

The move will require social media companies to remove any online content that inspires people to hurt themselves – and any person found to have inspired self-harm in online messages or videos will face prosecution.

Digital Secretary Michelle Donelan will introduce the measure as part of changes to the Online Safety Bill, which is returning to Parliament next month.

While encouraging suicide online is already illegal, there is no sanction for those who urge vulnerable young people to harm themselves.

Molly, 14, was found dead in her bedroom in November 2017 after viewing suicide and self-harm content online.

Coroner Andrew Walker said the images ‘shouldn’t have been available for a child to see’ and he wrote to social media firms and Ministers urging them to take action.

Ms Donelan said last night: ‘I am determined that these abhorrent trolls are brought to justice.

‘I am strengthening our online safety laws to make sure these vile acts are stamped out and the perpetrators face jail time.’

Molly’s family said the development was ‘significant’ but called for more clarity as to what would be criminalised.

A spokesman for the Molly Rose Foundation questioned whether the move would address some of the most harmful material online.