Esther Ghey, whose daughter Brianna was murdered in 2023, has criticized Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for meeting with social media executives before speaking to families who lost children due to harmful online content. In an open letter co-signed by 12 other bereaved families, Ghey expressed devastation that the PM prioritized discussions with Google, TikTok, and Meta over listening to those with lived experience.
"We are not being listened to — we are desperate to be heard," Ghey told BBC Breakfast. She noted that while she previously discussed youth mental health with Starmer before he became PM, she now feels sidelined. The families argue that their firsthand perspective is vital to shaping effective child safety policies.
The government responded that Starmer is engaging with families and that the issue is complex, with no overall consensus. A consultation on social media restrictions for children has received over 45,000 responses, but MPs have recently rejected a ban for under-16s.
Ghey's campaign follows the murder of her 16-year-old daughter, whose killer was influenced by online videos of murder and torture. The families urge the PM to meet them directly, emphasizing that their determination to prevent further tragedies outweighs the financial influence of tech giants.