Father of teenager who took her own life after viewing harmful content on social media says platforms must take responsibility for online safety

Ian Russell, whose 14-year-old daughter Molly took her own life in 2017 after viewing harmful content on social media, said the likes of Facebook and Instagram had a responsibility to tackle online harms rather than waiting for government regulation

A new online safety awareness campaign has been launched (Victoria Jones/PA)

Social media platforms must take responsibility, stop making excuses and start taking more steps to combat harmful content on their services and promote online safety, campaigner Ian Russell has said.

Mr Russell, whose 14-year-old daughter Molly took her own life in 2017 after viewing harmful content on social media, said the likes of Facebook and Instagram had a responsibility to tackle online harms rather than waiting for government regulation.