Ofcom has intensified its investigation into an online suicide forum following strong criticism from bereaved families and survivors who expressed disappointment and shock at the lack of action.
Responding to increasing pressure from advocacy groups, the media regulator announced that it is prioritizing and expediting its inquiry into the matter under the Online Safety Act. The investigation, initiated in April, targets the suicide forum as its first case.
Despite the forum implementing a geo-block to restrict access from UK IP addresses in response to enforcement actions, the Molly Rose Foundation (MRF), a suicide prevention charity, has reported that vulnerable adults are still actively using the site. MRF informed Ofcom on October 21 that individuals in the UK were accessing the forum, with the media regulator confirming on November 4, based on evidence from Samaritans, that the service is indeed accessible to UK users.
In a letter sent to Ofcom’s chief executive, Melanie Dawes, bereaved families criticized the regulator for its failure to take enforcement measures against the forum promptly. They expressed dismay at Ofcom’s apparent inability to recognize the urgency of blocking the site to protect vulnerable individuals from its harmful content and criminal activities.
The families, along with the MRF and Families and Survivors to Prevent Online Suicide Harms, have issued 65 warnings to the government regarding the site and a potentially hazardous substance promoted on the platform as a method of suicide. This substance is believed to have caused at least 133 deaths in the UK, with victims primarily in their early 20s, including the youngest known victim at 13 years old.
The families, representing victims like Lucas Webb and Vlad Nikolin-Caisley, who were teenagers, are advocating for a public inquiry into the government’s response to the platform and the hazardous substance due to multiple missed opportunities to prevent tragedies.
An Ofcom spokesperson stated that, following new evidence provided by Samaritans, their investigation is progressing rapidly. They emphasized that services failing to protect UK users from illegal content can expect swift enforcement actions, and they aim to conclude the investigation promptly. The spokesperson reaffirmed the importance of engaging with individuals affected by online harm in their regulatory actions.
Andy Burrows, Chief Executive of MRF, welcomed the potential shift in Ofcom’s approach but raised concerns about the delay in addressing legal breaches and the necessity for families to push for action. He also highlighted that Ofcom had prior knowledge of UK users accessing the forum, questioning why this information was not acted upon sooner.
For mental health support, individuals can contact the Samaritans at 116 123, email at jo@samaritans.org, or visit samaritans.org.