In a statement via their solicitor, the family said that they would "pursue the aims we share with Meta and Pinterest through the Molly Rose Foundation to help ensure young people have a positive experience online".
Meta and Pinterest make secret donation to Molly Russell charity
2025-04-05 09:00:04
Molly Russell's inquest heard that social media algorithms had fed her thousands of pictures and videos relating to suicide and self-harm
Meta and other social media companies face multiple lawsuits in the US from families who claim their children were harmed by social media. The cases also involve attorneys general from more than 40 states, who claim that the design of the platforms caused harm to children.
The first trial is expected to be heard in November.
Within the last nine months the charity has recruited a CEO, two public policy managers, a head of communications and a fundraising manager.
Asked about the donations, the charity repeated in a statement that it would "respect these wishes" for anonymity.
It is understood that no members of the Russell family have received any money from the donation.
After approaching the family's solicitor, a statement was released saying: "Following the coroner's inquest into Molly's death, we have decided that we will pursue the aims we share with Meta and Pinterest through the Molly Rose Foundation to help ensure young people have a positive experience online, instead of pursuing legal action. We, Molly's family, have always made clear that we would never accept compensation consequent upon Molly's death."
Ian Russell, Molly's father, has spoken widely about the dangers of unregulated social media and has been made an MBE for services to child safety online
The Molly Rose Foundation has become a leading voice in highlighting the dangers of unregulated social media and remains highly critical of Meta.
It has called on the government to strengthen the existing Online Safety Act with more robust legislation.
It is not calling for a children's social media ban, as planned in Australia, but is demanding that technology companies take more responsibility for the content channelled to young people through social media algorithms.
In March this year, in association with publisher Pan Macmillan, the charity sent a copy of a book written by Facebook whistleblower Sarah Wynn-Williams to every MP in the country. In it Ms Wynn-Williams, who used to be the company's global public policy director, makes a series of critical claims about what she witnessed during her seven years at Facebook.
Molly's father Ian Russell is an unpaid trustee of the foundation and remains an outspoken campaigner.