Father of Molly Russell criticizes UK Online Safety Act as disaster for child protection

Ian Russell, father of Molly Russell, criticized the UK’s Online Safety Act, calling its implementation by Ofcom a “disaster.” He expressed concerns that without reforms, harmful online content for children will increase significantly. The Online Safety Act, passed in late 2023, aims to regulate various online platforms and holds them accountable for harmful content. Ofcom recently issued rules requiring platforms to assess risks and implement safety measures by March. Russell urged for stronger regulations and a focus on victim-centered policies. He highlighted recent changes by Meta, which he believes weaken online safety measures, potentially endangering children further.