Richard Burgon: I thank the hon.

UK — Parliament · 2024-12-18 · UK · verified record

Themes: Child safety & minors · Online platforms · Search services

I thank the hon. Member for her intervention, and I will mention her constituent’s horrific experience later in my speech. I agree that there is much further to go to ensure that the Online Safety Act does what it needs to do to protect as many people as possible. Of this website, Joe’s sister-in-law Melanie said yesterday on social media that “the problem with these websites is that they are accessed by people at their most vulnerable and children. I’m Joe’s sister in law and I know Joe would still be here if he hadn’t accessed that website because the method he used is only discussed there h

Motion made, and Question proposed, That this House do now adjourn.—(Taiwo Owatemi.) The reason I have sought this Adjournment debate on internet service providers and suicide-related content online arises from a terrible tragedy that happened in my constituency. My constituent Joe Nihill was aged just 23 when he took his own life back in 2020 after accessing a horrific website. The purpose of that website is something that will alarm every Member of this House: it is dedicated to pushing people towards suicide. In fact, the website—which I will not name for reasons of public safety—was the su…