Molly Rose Foundation

As I mentioned in my last email, while the poll results were clear for Smartphone Free Childhood (SFC), a conversation with a friend of mine working directly in online safety convinced me that we should double down on this space. 

As the mission of protecting children online is so vast, we're extending our focus for another month. Our May donation will be going to the Molly Rose Foundation (MRF).

While SFC focuses on the habit of smartphone use, the Molly Rose Foundation focuses on the content. They are a leading suicide prevention charity that works specifically to protect young people under 25 from the most dangerous corners of the internet.

Here's some detail - 

What they do: The Molly Rose Foundation was established by the family of Molly Russell, who tragically took her own life after being exposed to harmful content online. Rather than just offering traditional support, MRF has become one of the UK’s most influential voices in child protection. They advocate for tech accountability, pushing social media giants to fix the algorithms that recommend harmful content, and provide direct resources for young people and families who are struggling with their mental health.

Efficiency and Impact: 

• Pioneering Research: They are a major reason the UK’s Online Safety Act exists. Their research recently found that 99% of recommended Instagram Reels served to their test accounts were harmful after minimal engagement with similar content, providing the data needed to force tech companies to change.

• Direct Support: To date, they have distributed over 184,000 "Where to Find Help" cards. These are lifelines that provide young people in crisis with immediate contact details for professional support.

• Massive Reach: In just one year (2024), they delivered 1,725 training courses to parents, teachers, and managers, while qualifying 269 Youth Mental Health First Aid Champions to act as first responders in schools and communities.

By supporting the Molly Rose Foundation, we are helping to ensure that the digital world children inhabit is governed by safety and care, rather than harmful algorithms. You can see more of their advocacy work and access their resources here.