A mum has hit out at social media sites after she was unable to access her son’s accounts after he died. Ellen Roome, 48, believes that her 14-year-old son, Jools Sweeney, died after a social media challenge gone wrong.
He was found unconcious in April 2022 and a coronor later determined that he had taken his own life. Ms Roome said technology companies have refused to give her access to the accounts, which “could shed light” on his death, saying she requires a court order to do so.
She has been campaigning for “Jools’ Law” to give parents the right to access their children’s online activity after they die. Ms Roome said that she is particularly interested in Jools’s Instagram and TikTok accounts because her son did “a lot of” challenges which are frequently shared on the platforms.
Get breaking news on BirminghamLive WhatsApp
Asked how companies have acted after her requests for data, she said: “Awful. They haven’t cared at all.” She added: “They’re not remotely interested. They don’t give a damn, and they just, quite frankly, don’t care… they all say it’s down to privacy that they can’t release data, well, that’s ridiculous, because they can redact people’s data.
“I don’t need to see who said what, I want to know whether it was some kind of blackmail? Was it sextortion? Was it an online challenge? But my child had no mental health issues offline, he wasn’t being bullied.”
Jools Sweeney
A coroner was unable to confirm that Jools was in a suicidal mood before his death, Ms Roome said. She said Instagram have told her who Jools’ contacts were but “refused” to give her messages and browsing data, while TikTok told her that information has been deleted, leaving her “not knowing what is truth”.
A petition to have the issue debated in Parliament has surpassed 126,000 signatures. Asked for her message to MPs ahead of a debate, she said: “If they lost one of their children, I guarantee you they will be doing what I’m doing, saying they want answers, and they need to really think about that.”
She continued: “I fell apart at Christmas, the grief paralyzes you sometimes, my world has shattered, and it’s going to be like that for the rest of my life. I’m just trying to stop it happening to somebody else.”
TikTok explained to Ms Roome that Jools’ watch and search history was deleted as required by law, though data may be preserved if requested by police, the firm said.The company said that officers did not request the data until 2024, after it had been deleted, and clarified it was not trying to withhold information.
Instagram has been approached by PA news agency for comment.
The NHS Choices website lists the following helplines and support networks for people to talk to.
- Samaritans (116 123 in UK and Ireland) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org.
- Childline (0800 1111) runs a helpline for children and young people in the UK. Calls are free and the number won’t show up on your phone bill.
- PAPYRUS (0800 068 41 41) is a voluntary organisation supporting teenagers and young adults who are feeling suicidal.
- Mind (0300 123 3393) is a charity based in England providing advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.
- Students Against Depression is a website for students who are depressed, have a low mood or are having suicidal thoughts.
- Bullying UK is a website for both children and adults affected by bullying.
- If U Care Share is a suicide prevention and postvention support charity. For free confidential text support text IUCS to 85258.
- James’ Place provide free, life-saving treatment for suicidal men, and those identifying as male. Men can refer themselves or be referred by a professional including those working in health and community services, or by a friend or family