Latest news with #AndyBurrows
Western Telegraph
13-05-2025
- Health
- Western Telegraph
Assisting self-harm could result in five-year jail term under proposed offence
Ministers are seeking to broaden the law to criminalise those who encourage or assist self-harm online or in person, as part of the Crime and Policing Bill. The move would mean anyone who intend to cause serious self-harm could be prosecuted, even if that did not lead to any injuries. Victims minister Alex Davies-Jones said: 'The prevalence of serious self-harm, especially in young people, is hugely concerning. 'It is an awful truth that some people encourage or assist such behaviour, and one I wanted to draw attention to during Mental Health Awareness Week. We are determined that anybody intending to see others harm themselves is stopped and dealt with in the strongest way Victims minister Alex Davies-Jones 'Whether encouragement is by communication, or more directly by assistance, the outcome is the same. 'We are determined that anybody intending to see others harm themselves is stopped and dealt with in the strongest way.' Under the Online Safety Act 2023, it is already illegal to encourage or assist suicide or self-harm through content online. But the change to the law seeks to replace the existing offence to cover all ways self-harm could be aided. It is understood the new legislation will not criminalise anyone who did not have the intention to cause harm, such as by sharing experiences of self-harm or discussing the issue. Guidance on self-harm suggests it can occur at any age but there is evidence of a 'recent increase' in prevalence among young people in England, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in 2022. Andy Burrows, chief executive of the Molly Rose Foundation, which was set up in memory of 14-year-old Molly Russell who took her own life after viewing thousands of images promoting suicide and self-harm, welcomed the extension of self-harm laws. But he said it 'will not stop the threat posed by those who seek to cause harm online by itself'. He added: 'There is an increasing risk posed by groups and individuals who encourage self-harm online, coercing often young women and girls into self-harm in private messaging and livestreams. 'The reality is that Ofcom's regulation of tech companies is failing to disrupt the encouragement of self-harm online and the Government must step in with stronger online safety laws that can tackle this growing and urgent threat.' Ofcom set out new online safety rules to protect children from harmful content in April, saying the measures will be 'transformational' and force tech firms to do things differently.
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Assisting self-harm could result in five-year jail term under proposed offence
Anyone who assists someone to self-harm – such as by giving them a blade or pills – could face up to five years in prison under plans for a new offence. Ministers are seeking to broaden the law to criminalise those who encourage or assist self-harm online or in person, as part of the Crime and Policing Bill. The move would mean anyone who intend to cause serious self-harm could be prosecuted, even if that did not lead to any injuries. Victims minister Alex Davies-Jones said: 'The prevalence of serious self-harm, especially in young people, is hugely concerning. 'It is an awful truth that some people encourage or assist such behaviour, and one I wanted to draw attention to during Mental Health Awareness Week. 'Whether encouragement is by communication, or more directly by assistance, the outcome is the same. 'We are determined that anybody intending to see others harm themselves is stopped and dealt with in the strongest way.' Under the Online Safety Act 2023, it is already illegal to encourage or assist suicide or self-harm through content online. But the change to the law seeks to replace the existing offence to cover all ways self-harm could be aided. It is understood the new legislation will not criminalise anyone who did not have the intention to cause harm, such as by sharing experiences of self-harm or discussing the issue. Guidance on self-harm suggests it can occur at any age but there is evidence of a 'recent increase' in prevalence among young people in England, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence in 2022. Andy Burrows, chief executive of the Molly Rose Foundation, which was set up in memory of 14-year-old Molly Russell who took her own life after viewing thousands of images promoting suicide and self-harm, welcomed the extension of self-harm laws. But he said it 'will not stop the threat posed by those who seek to cause harm online by itself'. He added: 'There is an increasing risk posed by groups and individuals who encourage self-harm online, coercing often young women and girls into self-harm in private messaging and livestreams. 'The reality is that Ofcom's regulation of tech companies is failing to disrupt the encouragement of self-harm online and the Government must step in with stronger online safety laws that can tackle this growing and urgent threat.' Ofcom set out new online safety rules to protect children from harmful content in April, saying the measures will be 'transformational' and force tech firms to do things differently.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Duchess of York: New online safety rules won't clean up ‘sewer' of social media
The Duchess of York has said new online safety rules will not clean up the 'sewer' of social media. Ofcom's new rules will empower the regulator to issue large fines against social media companies failing to protect child users, and to seek court orders to ban them in the UK entirely in extreme cases. The Duchess said the measures will not 'shield our teenagers' from a 'tidal wave of filth' online. Tech giants should be treated the same as any other publisher and made 'properly responsible for their content', the Duchess added. In an opinion piece for LBC, she wrote: 'Last week, the media regulator Ofcom published measures intended to improve protections for children online, including requiring tougher age checks and more robust action to prevent children accessing harmful content. 'But I fear this won't do enough to shield our teenagers from the tidal wave of filth and toxicity on social media sites.' The Duchess is not the first online safety campaigner to argue the new rules do not go far enough, with others saying tech firms have been allowed excessive control over defining what content is harmful. Andy Burrows, the chief executive of the Molly Rose Foundation, which was set up in memory of 14-year-old Molly Russell, who ended her life after seeing harmful social media content, called Ofcom's measures a 'series of missed opportunities'. The Duchess said: 'This isn't a trivial subject. Our teenagers have become more anxious and depressed. 'There was a notable rise in depression, which started in 2012, around the time many secondary school children started to get smartphones. 'Excessive social media use has been linked to increased stress, sleep problems, and even self-harm. We're only just starting to understand who is vulnerable and what we can do to protect them. 'We do know that in the worst cases, children have taken their own lives after being pursued by cyberbullies,' she said. 'Others have died after dangerous prank and challenge videos have been circulated and apparently targeted at youngsters. 'Let's be honest, much of it is an absolute sewer. People say things to each other they wouldn't dream of saying in the real world.' An Ofcom spokesperson said: 'The changes we've announced are a reset for children online. 'They will mean safer social media feeds with less harmful and dangerous content, protections from being contacted by strangers and effective age checks on adult content. 'Ofcom has been tasked with bringing about a safer generation of children online, and if companies fail to act, they will face enforcement.' Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
The Herald Scotland
04-05-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Duchess of York: Ofcom measures will not be enough to ‘shield our teenagers'
The duchess claimed the measures did not go far enough and tech giants should be treated the same as any other publisher and made 'properly responsible for their content'. In an opinion piece for LBC, Sarah wrote: 'Last week, the media regulator Ofcom published measures intended to improve protections for children online, including requiring tougher age checks and more robust action to prevent children accessing harmful content. 'But I fear this won't do enough to shield our teenagers from the tidal wave of filth and toxicity on social media sites.' The duchess is not the first online safety campaigner to argue the new rules do not go far enough, with others saying tech firms have been allowed excessive control over defining what content is harmful. Andy Burrows, chief executive of the Molly Rose Foundation which was set up in the memory of 14-year-old Molly Russell who ended her life after seeing harmful social media content, called Ofcom's measures a 'series of missed opportunities'. How will your child be kept safer under the Online Safety Act? 🔒 Our new rules for tech companies will help to protect children online. 🔗 Check out our guide for parents to find out more: — Ofcom (@Ofcom) April 30, 2025 The duchess added: 'This isn't a trivial subject. Our teenagers have become more anxious and depressed. 'There was a notable rise in depression which started in 2012, around the time many secondary school children started to get smartphones. 'Excessive social media use has been linked to increased stress, sleep problems, and even self-harm. 'We're only just starting to understand who is vulnerable and what we can do to protect them. 'We do know that in the worst cases, children have taken their own lives after being pursued by cyberbullies. 'Others have died after dangerous prank and challenge videos have been circulated and apparently targeted at youngsters.' Sarah with her daughters Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie (Aaron Chown/PA) Sarah added: 'Let's be honest, much of it is an absolute sewer. 'People say things to each other they wouldn't dream of saying in the real world'. An Ofcom spokesperson said: 'The changes we've announced are a reset for children online. 'They will mean safer social media feeds with less harmful and dangerous content, protections from being contacted by strangers and effective age checks on adult content. 'Ofcom has been tasked with bringing about a safer generation of children online, and if companies fail to act they will face enforcement.'
Powys County Times
04-05-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
Duchess of York: Ofcom measures will not be enough to ‘shield our teenagers'
Sarah, Duchess of York, has warned that new Ofcom online safety measures will not be enough to 'shield our teenagers' from a 'tidal wave of filth' on social media. Ofcom's new rules will empower the regulator to issue large fines against social media companies failing to protect child users, and to seek court orders to ban them in the UK entirely in extreme cases. The duchess claimed the measures did not go far enough and tech giants should be treated the same as any other publisher and made 'properly responsible for their content'. In an opinion piece for LBC, Sarah wrote: 'Last week, the media regulator Ofcom published measures intended to improve protections for children online, including requiring tougher age checks and more robust action to prevent children accessing harmful content. 'But I fear this won't do enough to shield our teenagers from the tidal wave of filth and toxicity on social media sites.' The duchess is not the first online safety campaigner to argue the new rules do not go far enough, with others saying tech firms have been allowed excessive control over defining what content is harmful. Andy Burrows, chief executive of the Molly Rose Foundation which was set up in the memory of 14-year-old Molly Russell who ended her life after seeing harmful social media content, called Ofcom's measures a 'series of missed opportunities'. How will your child be kept safer under the Online Safety Act? 🔒 Our new rules for tech companies will help to protect children online. 🔗 Check out our guide for parents to find out more: — Ofcom (@Ofcom) April 30, 2025 The duchess added: 'This isn't a trivial subject. Our teenagers have become more anxious and depressed. 'There was a notable rise in depression which started in 2012, around the time many secondary school children started to get smartphones. 'Excessive social media use has been linked to increased stress, sleep problems, and even self-harm. 'We're only just starting to understand who is vulnerable and what we can do to protect them. 'We do know that in the worst cases, children have taken their own lives after being pursued by cyberbullies. 'Others have died after dangerous prank and challenge videos have been circulated and apparently targeted at youngsters.' Sarah added: 'Let's be honest, much of it is an absolute sewer. 'People say things to each other they wouldn't dream of saying in the real world'. An Ofcom spokesperson said: 'The changes we've announced are a reset for children online. 'They will mean safer social media feeds with less harmful and dangerous content, protections from being contacted by strangers and effective age checks on adult content. 'Ofcom has been tasked with bringing about a safer generation of children online, and if companies fail to act they will face enforcement.'
