Ofcom has intensified its investigation into an online suicide forum following strong expressions of disappointment and shock from bereaved families and survivors over its perceived inaction.
Under mounting pressure from advocates, the media regulator announced that it is prioritizing and expediting its inquiry into the matter, aiming for a prompt resolution.
This suicide forum marks the initial focus of an Ofcom investigation under the Online Safety Act, with the investigation commencing back in April.
In response to enforcement measures, the US-based platform opted to implement a geo-block to limit access for individuals with UK IP addresses. Despite this measure, the Molly Rose Foundation (MRF), a charity dedicated to suicide prevention, reported that the forum continues to attract vulnerable adults from the UK.
After being informed by MRF that UK residents were still accessing the forum on October 21, Ofcom received evidence from Samaritans on November 4, indicating that the service remains accessible to UK users.
In a letter addressed to Ofcom’s CEO, Melanie Dawes, bereaved families criticized the regulator’s lack of action against the forum, highlighting the urgent need to protect vulnerable individuals from the harmful content promoted on the site.
These families, along with MRF and Families and Survivors to Prevent Online Suicide Harms, have raised concerns about the site and a hazardous substance associated with it. The substance is linked to a minimum of 133 deaths in the UK, with a potential higher toll.
Victims of both the forum and the substance tend to be in their early twenties, with the youngest known victim being just 13 years old. The Mirror has chosen not to disclose the names of the forum or the substance.
The families advocating for action include those representing victims like Lucas Webb at 16 and Vlad Nikolin-Caisley at 17. The forum’s youngest known victim was a mere 13 years old.
These families are demanding a public inquiry into the government’s handling of the site and the dangerous substance, citing missed opportunities to avert tragedies.
An Ofcom spokesperson stated that, based on new evidence from Samaritans, the investigation is moving forward swiftly, emphasizing that services failing to safeguard UK users from illicit content should anticipate prompt enforcement actions.
Andy Burrows, Chief Executive of MRF, welcomed any potential shift in Ofcom’s stance but raised questions about the delays in addressing legal violations and the families’ role in prompting regulatory action.
For mental health support, individuals can contact the Samaritans at 116 123, via email at jo@samaritans.org, or by visiting samaritans.org to locate the nearest branch.
