Cal Gaunt
Archie Battersbee’s mum has called for new laws to prevent dangerous online challenges after one is alleged to have resulted in his death.
Archie, 12, was found unconscious at his home in April with a ligature around his neck after reportedly taking part in the ‘Blackout Challenge’.
His mum, Hollie Dance, 46, told LBC: “Prosecution-wise, I think maybe the adults that are uploading the videos for the kids to copy, I think they need to be targeted a bit more.
Watch Archie Battersbee’s family discuss his life support being switched off…
“One of the videos I watched was an adult, in his 30s, tying a rope round his neck and pulling it tight. Kids are watching that. I don’t know what these adults are thinking at the time.”
Earlier this week, she told The Mirror: “The social media companies don’t do enough to stop harmful content online.
“It’s out there and people are grooming our children to do these challenges, it’s disgusting.
“The people – they’re often adults, not children – who are demonstrating these challenges are sick.
“The police and the government need to work together to stop this.”
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There have been increased calls for the government to do more to stop further tragedies.
Liberal Democrat spokesman Jamie Stone has criticised delays in amending the Online Safety Bill.
He said: “It’s more than four years since Conservative ministers promised new laws to tackle online harms, but we’re still waiting. We need clear, tough laws.”
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A Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport spokeswoman said, however: “The Online Safety Bill will force tech firms to protect children from dangerous viral stunts.
“Failing firms will face huge fines or have their sites blocked.”
Dance has now made it her task to ensure nobody suffers in the way they have, saying: “That’s the legacy I want for Archie.
“I want to protect kids and the loved ones left behind. It’s unbearable.”
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