Molly Russell coroner calls for review of children’s social media access

Andrew Walker’s report says government should consider separate platforms for adults and children

The coroner at Molly Russell’s inquest has recommended that the government consider separate social media platforms for children and adults as he called for a review of child use of online content.

The senior coroner Andrew Walker, who presided over the inquest into 14-year-old Molly’s death, has issued safety recommendations that focus on child access to social media content. Molly, from Harrow, north-west London, died in November 2017 after viewing extensive amounts of material related to suicide, depression, anxiety and self-harm on platforms including Instagram and Pinterest.