Prince William has called for improved online safety for children after a coroner ruled social media contributed to the death of 14-year-old Molly Russell.

The Prince of Wales said: “No parent should ever have to endure what Ian Russell and his family have been through. They have been so incredibly brave. Online safety for our children and young people needs to be a prerequisite, not an afterthought.”

The schoolgirl from Harrow, northwest London, was found dead in her bedroom after viewing content related to suicide, depression and anxiety online.

Andrew Walker, the coroner, said he did not “think it would be safe” to give suicide as her cause of death, instead opting for self-harm.

Giving his findings on Friday, he said: “Molly was at a transition period in her young life which made certain elements of communication difficult.”

She was “exposed to material that may have influenced her in a negative way and, in addition, what had started as a depression had become a more serious depressive illness”, he told North London Coroners Court.

Related posts:

‘Always in our hearts’: Caroline Flack remembered a year on from her death Deputy Met chief refuses to apologise for policing of Sarah Everard vigil Former Bristol City footballer who targeted women in nightclubs jailed for rape offences Earlier COVID lockdown could have saved more than 20,000 lives, report says 10,000 food supply chain workers to be exempt from isolation rules – but supermarket staff not included ‘We can’t blow it now’: COVID cases could hit 100,000 a day – but England won’t move to Plan B yet Children as young as five could get COVID jab in spring, according to leaked plan reports Solskjaer future in doubt after Man Utd hold emergency board meeting Fans urged to donate football kits to make Christmas special for disadvantaged children M6 closed after man dies in crash following police pursuit Wimbledon live: British No 1 Cameron Norrie set to face Novak Djokovic for a place in the final Poaching ringleader escapes jail after stealing £62k worth of salmon and trout