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House of Lords If only Jools could see how far his story has travelled. What began as a mother’s search for answers has become a campaign for change, to make sure no other parent is left in the dark when the unthinkable happens. I’ll be meeting with Baroness Beeban Kidron and other supporters of her amendment as we continue to push for   #JoolsLaw   — calling for the automatic preservation of children’s online data so that truth and accountability are never hidden behind a screen. (I do understand that it won’t actually be called JoolsLaw but if the crime and policing bill includes the wording to achieve that, then that’s perfect!) This invitation is another step forward — for Jools, and for every child whose story deserves to be told. 🕊️

Jools aged 4

This week, Baroness Beeban Kidron has tabled a powerful amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill, one that would make data preservation automatic when a child dies. If passed, coroners would have to notify Ofcom within five working days of a child’s death, ensuring that all social media and online data is immediately preserved. Ofcom would then provide a standard template so coroners know exactly what information to request from platforms like TikTok, Snapchat and Meta, including what a child saw, searched, shared or was recommended. This is exactly what #JoolsLaw  has been fighting for since I lost my beautiful son, Jools. No parent should ever be left in the dark, waiting months or years to understand what happened to their child online, while vital evidence is deleted or lost forever. Automatic preservation isn’t just about data. It’s about truth, accountability and compassion. It’s about giving families answers. And it’s about protecting other children from suffering the same fate when we can prove the harm caused to children who have died. Thank you, Baroness Kidron, for backing my argument on this and continuing to stand up for children’s digital rights and for recognising that parents deserve the truth. We need to make sure this is passed in Parliament.   https://bills.parliament.uk/publicat.../63214/documents/7237 #JoolsLaw   #BaronessKidron   #OnlineSafety   #DigitalRights   #ProtectOurChildren   #BereavedParents   #DataPreservation

Joolslaw - Give parents the right to view their deceased children's social media data. Ellen Roome is fighting for transparency and safety in the digital space so no other family has to endure the pain she has suffered. Media Coverage Click here to watch 'The Families Taking Tiktok to Court" on BBC Iplayer. Play Video Play Video BBC Breakfast News 1st Dec 2025 Ellen Roome shared three important updates. 1) Gloucestershire Police have now escalated the review into the circumstances of Jools’ death following the independent report that highlighted serious golden-hour failings. 2) In Parliament, a tabled amendment in the House of Lords could finally change the Crime and Policing Bill so that children’s online data is automatically preserved after their death, preventing other families from facing the same barriers Ellen has. 3) Featuristic Films has begun work on a scripted TV drama based on Ellen's journey, shining a much wider light on the fight for truth, accountability and Jools’ Law. Play Video Play Video BBC Morning Live 14th Nov 2025 BBC Morning Live aired today, highlighting an issue no parent should ever have to fight for, access to their child’s digital data after death. Right now in the UK, when a child dies, there is no automatic data preservation notice. This means their online information — messages, searches, interactions, location data — can be deleted, altered or lost within hours. In Jools’ case, vital evidence from his final hours simply wasn’t preserved. His devices weren’t secured. His accounts weren’t frozen. The golden hour was missed. No parent should have to spend years battling for something that should happen instantly. Jools’ Law would fix this. It would require police and platforms to immediately preserve a child’s digital data so that the coroner can access it. This isn’t about blame. It’s about truth, safeguarding and ensuring no parent is left in the dark. Jools’ Law won’t help Jools now — but it will help other families get the answers they deserve. Play Video Play Video 15th Oct 2025 - Ellen Roome on Good Morning Britain discussing Instagram’s new teen account features I also mentioned the report now sitting in my inbox from Mick Randall at Fedora Investigations, with the latest findings from my private investigation into my son’s death.It’s taken a lot of strength to reach this point. I’ll find the courage to read these new developments this afternoon and then, with my team, decide how to move forward — for Jools, and for every child who deserves better protection online. #joolslaw #digitalaccountability #onlinesafety I Play Video Play Video What Instagram’s New “PG-13 Teen” Update Really Means for Parents - Sky News interview 14th Oct 2025 Instagram says teen accounts will now be guided by PG13 movie ratings. At first, that sounds positive, and anything that helps stop children from seeing harmful content is welcome. But the reality is we will have to wait and see what really happens. Is this a genuine change or just a PR stunt? Have they finally listened to parents and put extra protections in place for children? I am concerned about how easily teens can still create multiple accounts, one linked to their parents and others with fake ages. Without proper verification or stronger safeguards, harmful content will continue to slip through. Real safety means transparency, independent oversight, and genuine accountability, not marketing language. It would be wonderful to see a duty of candour and an overarching duty of care embedded into how these companies operate. Let’s hope this isn’t a PR stunt and that Meta is genuinely trying to do better. If so, this might be a small but meaningful step towards reducing the harms children face online. #JoolsLaw #OnlineSafety #ChildProtection #SocialMediaReform #DigitalAccountability Play Video Play Video 30th Sept 2025 with BBC breakfast. In principle, Data Preservation Notices (DPNs) sound helpful. In practice, they don’t work. These notices finally came into effect today Tuesday 30th September under the Online Safety Act. However when a child dies, an inquest is opened but then usually suspended pending the police investigation. At that point, the coroner loses control and the investigation passes back to the police. Unless the child’s online data is preserved immediately, crucial evidence can be lost. I know of several other parents in exactly this position: coroners have told them they cannot use the law under the Online Safety Act because the case has passed back to the police. This is crazy and it MUST change. That’s why I am fighting for #JoolsLaw: when a child dies, their online data should be preserved automatically. Only then will it be available for a proper investigation into their death. This isn’t about my son Jools, it’s too late for him/us. It’s about every family who deserves answers. (I also want to stress I was being sarcastic when I said the app LMK is safe, and I want to apologise for getting Kibi's name incorrect, I said Bibi). Play Video Play Video LBC Online Safety Day 2- 8th Sept 2025 Interview with Lady Sophie Winkleman, Katharine Birbalsingh (founder and headmistress of the Michaela Community School in London), and Ellen Roome discussing online safety. Play Video Play Video ITV West Country News 4th Aug 2025 Ellen Roome has been tirelessly fighting for legislative change since her 14-year-old son, Jools Sweeney, died by suicide in April 2022. Now, Ellen has joined forces with two other bereaved mothers who share her devastating experience of losing a child whilst being denied access to crucial phone data. Together, Ellen Roome, Hollie Dance, and Lisa Keneven have launched a groundbreaking, free online safety resource designed to educate children about the serious risks posed by dangerous internet challenges. United by unimaginable tragedy, the three mothers are demanding that both the government and social media platforms take far greater responsibility for protecting young people from harmful and inappropriate content that continues to circulate unchecked. Play Video Play Video BBC breakfast interview with Melanie Dawes Ofcom CEO I think it’s good that porn sites will be age verified, but I had hoped they would be age verification changes for children on #socialmedia. We now have to wait for September for this. It’s so slow. Children are still being harmed and dying. I didn’t get long enough to ask Melanie the questions I really wanted to ask, such as why WhatsApp is not regulated and when/if ever, they will be. Children are being groomed on this unregulated platform! It's not good enough. We need changes NOW. Such a shame we have to wait until September for age checks on social media #joolslaw Play Video Play Video Online harms and broken safeguards: voices from bereaved families In this powerful episode of Legal4Tech – The Podcast, recorded as part of the #Under24Hours project, we open a necessary and deeply human conversation on the real-world consequences of online harms. Joined by a group of courageous parents who lost their children due to content and dynamics on digital platforms, we reflect on the flaws in current safety frameworks, the silence of Big Tech, and the urgent need for stronger regulation. 💡 Explore topics like: - The barriers families face in accessing platform data - The failures of the Online Safety Act and GDPR interpretation - Platform design, algorithmic harm, and accountability - What real online safety would look like for future generations - Grassroots advocacy, collective strength, and resilience 🎧 Tune in now to hear the voices behind the movement to make tech safer — for everyone! 📌 Recorded during a special group interview hosted by the Legal4Tech team! 🔊 Part of the ongoing #Under24Hours series! Play Video Play Video How To Protect Your Kids Online in 2025 Worried about your child’s online safety in 2025? In this video, we share essential tips for parents on how to protect your kids online from preventing exposure to harmful content to understanding the latest digital threats. Stay informed with up-to-date trends in online safety, and learn practical, expert-backed steps you can take today to keep your child safe on the internet. Watch till the end for actionable advice every parent should know. What would you do if you saw something online that didn’t feel right? Ellen’s here to help us figure it out. Join Gabi and Marnie as they explore internet safety tips and how schools can support young people. This engaging and educational interview focuses on the importance of Internet Safety for children, featuring Ellen Room, a contributor to the Click or Quit resource. Hosted by Gabby and Mani as part of the Lessons for Life campaign, the conversation explores the risks children face online such as harmful content, online challenges, and sharing personal information and offers practical advice on how to respond. Ellen emphasises the need for children to talk to trusted adults when they encounter something unsettling and highlights the value of learning through repetition to reinforce safe online habits. The discussion also touches on the evolving role of PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic education) in schools, comparing past and present approaches to teaching life skills. Ellen and the hosts stress the importance of educating not just students, but also parents and carers, about digital risks and how to protect children at home. A quiz segment adds an interactive and relatable touch, reinforcing key lessons through real-life scenarios. 00:00 Introduction to Online Safety 00:18 Introduction to the Interview 00:34 About the Click or Quit Assembly 01:04 What to Do When Encountering Harmful Content 01:31 Can There Be Too Many Safety Lessons? 02:01 Ellen’s Online Safety Campaign 02:50 Lessons for Life Campaign 03:31 Ellen’s Childhood PSHE Experience 04:06 Evolution of Life Skills Education 04:30 Interactive Q&A with Ellen on online safety 04:48 Question 1: Keeping Personal Info Private Online 06:00 Question 2: If You See Something Scary Online 06:42 Question 3: Saying No to Online Challenges 08:00 If You Could Change One Thing in Education 08:53 Supporting Parents and Carers 09:17 Life Lessons Ellen Wishes She Learned 09:53 Final Messages This show is powered by 1decision - https://www.1decision.co.uk/ Find out more about the Lessons4Life campaign - https://www.lessons4life.org/ Sign our petition - https://www.change.org/p/lessons4life-fixing-broken-britain Follow us - https://www.instagram.com/lessons4lifeuk_?igsh=NHhvMzA3MXNpdXVh #onlinesafety #podcast #joolslaw Play Video Play Video BBC Breakfast 16th May 2025 My interview with BBC following my meeting with Ministers in Parliament Play Video Play Video BBC Breaskfast 16th May 2025 The BBC were allowed to film part of my meeting with Ministers in Parliament to discuss The Data Bill Play Video Play Video BBC Breakfast 8th May 2025 Interview following my meeting with Rt Hon Peter Kyle, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology. Play Video Play Video Online Safety talk by Ellen Roome at The Annual Parish Meeting 2025 We are pleased to share the filmed talk by Ellen Roome, recorded at our Annual Parish Meeting on 30 April at Balcarras School, is now available to view online. In this moving and courageous presentation, Ellen shares the heartbreaking story of losing her 14-year-old son, Jools, to the hidden dangers of social media. She speaks about her fight to access his online data and her campaign to hold tech companies accountable for the harmful content reaching our children. Ellen also offers practical tips and essential advice for parents and carers on how to help keep children safe in the digital world. This is a must-watch for any parent, carer, or adult concerned about online safety. 👉 You can also download our joint CKPC & Ellen Roome digital safety leaflet, full of helpful guidance and recommended resources, on our website: https://www.charltonkingsparishcouncil.gov.uk/online-safety Thank you again to Ellen, and to everyone who joined us for such an important evening. Play Video Play Video Lost Screen Memorial Recap Play Video Play Video BBC Breakfast 28th April 2025 Discussing our march in New York against Meta and the Archewell Foundation Lost Screen Memorial. https://archewell.org/news/unveiling-the-lost-screen-memorial/ Play Video Play Video BBC Breakfast regarding Archewell Foundation Memorial and Meta Protest Play Video Play Video Interview with @SkyNews 24th April 2025 regarding Meta protest and memorial Interview with ⁠ 24th April 2025 regarding Meta protest and memorial with The Archewell Foundation and my meeting with Harry and Megan Play Video Play Video BBC interview -New York Central Park 24th April 2025 Play Video Play Video BBC interview -New York Times Square 24th April 2025 Play Video Play Video Data Use and Access Bill Reading 11th Mar 2025 I spent the day in Parliament again today listening to the Data (Use and Access) Bill meetings. I extend my thanks to Alex McIntyre (Gloucester MP), who introduced me to Sir Chris Bryant (Minister of State), and then to Max Wilkinson (my MP) for asking Victoria Collins (MP) to raise a point of order in the chamber. Hopefully, this will now mean I will finally be able to discuss my Jools Law request before the report stage of the Data Bill (as Chris Bryant states here). #joolslaw Play Video Play Video LBC interview 10th March 2025 Here is the recording from Lisa Kenevan and me on Monday with LBC. This is just our snippet from the day. Well done, LBC, for your very informative #onlinesafety day. Excellent guests and information for parents. Well worth relisting to. So much more needs to be done to protect children and parents. Please, please talk to your kids about what they are seeing online, as you have NO legal right to see your children's social media data #joolslaw. Play Video Play Video MAGICAL MINDSET ELLEN'S PODCAST Cliff Sewell interviewed me for a podcast. This is a heartfelt recount of my child loss and resilience to try to make something positive out of my pain. In his words…. TRIGGER WARNING: VIEWER'S DISCRETION ADVISED In today’s episode of The Magical Mindset Podcast with Cliff Sewell, I am joined by social media law-changing campaigner Ellen Roome. Ellen's journey as a campaigner began with an unthinkable tragedy—the loss of her only child, Jools Sweeney, who died in April 2022 at just 14 years old. The coroner could not definitively rule Jools’ death as suicide even though he took his own life, leaving Ellen and her family searching for answers. Ellen discusses that the key to understanding Jools’ state of mind and whether perhaps it was an online challenge that went wrong may lie within his social media footprint. Ellen further explains a significant and devastating barrier: as parents, they have no legal right to access Jools’ social media data, even though he was a minor. Now devoting her life to pushing for legislative change, Ellen spearheads “Jools’ Law,” a campaign advocating for parental access to the digital accounts of deceased minors. Her efforts have garnered widespread support, and the law is currently being discussed in Parliament. Ellen’s work is a testament to her resilience and love for her son, ensuring that Jools’ legacy makes a lasting impact. #JoolsLaw #Loss #Resilience #Inspiration Play Video Play Video Max Wilkinson 7th March 2025 on BBC 'Any Questions' Max Wilkinson is the Liberal Democrat MP for Cheltenham and supports my JoolsLaw campaign on BBC's programme 'Any Questions'. Play Video Play Video Sky News 7th March 2025 Following the disappointing 2nd Reading of Josh MacAlister OBE MP (Labour - Whitehaven and Workington) private members bill - The Safer Phones Bill. Play Video Play Video Minister Sir Chris Byrant 7th March 2025 Minster Sir Chris Byrant 7th March 2025, summing up at The House of Commons after 2nd reading of Josh MacAlister OBE MP (Labour - Whitehaven and Workington) private members bill "The Safer Phones Bill". Play Video Play Video Lola McEvoy MP supports JoolsLaw 7th March 25 in House of Commons Lola McEvoy is the Labour MP for Darlington. She has supported my JoolsLaw campaign since I met her in Parliament last year. Here, on 7 March 2025, she spoke in the House of Commons to continue her support. Play Video Play Video ITV news 3rd March 2025 I was interviewed for ITV News regarding TikTok and the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) investigations about how social media and video-sharing platforms use UK children’s personal information. TikTok was fined £12.7m by the ICO in 2023 and apparently has appealed it and not paid yet. Play Video Play Video Interview with @thesun 22nd February 2025 Why doesn’t a massive tech company KNOW if they have data on Jools.. they ‘might’ have deleted his data!!! ?? Why can’t they hand over everything they have on him and say, “Here is all the data we hold. I hope you get some answers as to why he’s no longer alive. #joolslaw Play Video Play Video House of Commons 12 02 25 Max Wilkinson MP, backs #joolslaw There needs to be an amendment to the 'Data bill' so that social media data of a deceased child is AUTOMATICALLY preserved and requested, just like a toxicology report is done with the untimely death of a child. It could give answers as to why a child (like my son Jools) died. Load More

Joolslaw - Give parents the right to view their deceased children's social media data. Ellen Roome is fighting for transparency and safety in the digital space so no other family has to endure the pain she has suffered. News articles 1st December 2025 Mum welcomes fresh review of son's online devices Read More 4th August 2025 Bereaved Cheltenham mum launches free online safety resource for children Read More 28th July 2025 New law ‘doesn’t go far enough’ Read More 25th July 2025 New internet rules enforced from today - but this grieving mother is sceptical they will work Read More 23rd July 2025 Bereaved families call for urgent change in law Read More 22nd July 2025 Why are our kids risking their lives for clicks? Read More 14th July 2025 Parents unite to combat internet dangers for children Read More 2nd July 2025 Bereaved Cheltenham mum launches free online safety resource for children Read More 30th June 2025 ‘Click or Quit?’': Bereaved parents unite to launch free life-saving online safety resource for schools and families Read More 30th June 2025 Gloucestershire mum launches online safety resource for schools Read More 18th June 2025 For Jools: one mother’s fight for the truth about her son’s death Read More 20th May 2025 Max backs call for tighter social media controls for under-16s Read More 18th May 2025 Mother who fears her son died taking part in an online challenge battles for changes to the government's Data Bill Read More 16th May 2025 'I want to understand why my son is not here' Read More 15th May 2025 Mother hopeful law change will allow other bereaved parents access to children's phone data Read More 8th May 2025 Bereaved mother 'drained' by campaign to change law Read More 8th May 2025 Bereaved mother continues fight for change in data laws after teenage son took his own life Read More 5th May 2025 Bereaved mum backs data disclosure law change Read More 5th may 2025 Let me see my son’s social media, bereaved mother demands Read More 24th April 2025 Bereaved parents demand tech firms 'protect children' Read More 24th April 2025 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle join bereaved families demanding social media action Read More 30th March 2025 As UK families grieve, can one determined country stop social media from harming children? Read More 23rd February 2025 UK families take case against TikTok over child deaths Read More 21st February 2025 VIRAL HORROR We’re suing TikTok to find out why our children died doing the ‘Black Out’ Challenge – we’ve been forced down this route Read More 21st February 2025 UK parents suing TikTok over children’s deaths ‘suspicious’ about data claims Read More 13th Feb 2025 Blow to Cheltenham mum looking to TikTok for answers over the death of her son Read More 13th February 2025 One woman’s quest to discover what led to the death of her son Read More 11th February 2025 Data of four dead British teens may have been removed, says TikTok Read More 11th February 2025 Mum seeking answers over son’s death says social media firms ‘don’t give a damn’ Read More 10th February 2025 Parents suing TikTok over children’s deaths ‘want answers’ Read More 10th February 2025 Bereaved mum looks for answers after son's death Read More 10th February 2025 Parents demand answers from TikTok after children’s tragic deaths Read More 9th February 2025 Exclusive group interview for BBC One's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg with the four British families suing TikTok for the alleged wrongful deaths of their children. Listen here 7th February 2025 Cheltenham mum serves TikTok lawsuit Read More 8th February 2025 TikTok sued over 'viral blackout challenge deaths': Bereaved families say 'we just want answers' as they demand access to their children's social media accounts Read More 8th February 2025 Parents suing TikTok over children's deaths say it 'has no compassion' Read More 7th February 2025 Bereaved families file US lawsuit against TikTok over access to children’s data Read More 7th February 2025 Parents sue TikTok over child deaths allegedly caused by ‘blackout challenge’ Read More 7th February 2025 'We just want answers': TikTok sued by parents of UK teens who allegedly died in viral trend Read More 7th February 2025 TikTok sued by parents of UK teens after alleged challenge deaths Read More 16th January 2025 After son dies by ‘suicide’, mother battles social media giants for answers Read More 15th January 2025 Cheltenham mum battling Snapchat and Meta after son took life in 'online challenge' Read More 1th January 2025 BBC News - Parents 'should have access to kids' social media' Read More 14th January 2025 'I'm taking on Meta and Snapchat after my teen son died in sick challenge' Read More 14th January 2025 TEEN TRAGEDY My son, 14, died in online challenge gone wrong but it’ll cost me £86k to find out why – I’m BLOCKED from his account Read More 13th January 2025 What is Jools' Law and why are MPs talking about it? Read More 13th January 2025 Bereaved mother brings battle to find out why her 14-year-old son died to Parliament Read More 13th January 2025 MPs to debate Jools Law to allow bereaved parents access to children's social media Read More 13th January 2025 Mum fears son, 14, died in social media challenge gone wrong - now she has one request Read More 13th January 2025 Jools’ Law: Mother battling social media firms for answers over son’s death urges MPs to act Read More 10th January 2025 TEEN TRAGEDY My son, 14, died in online challenge gone wrong but it’ll cost me £86k to find out why – I’m BLOCKED from his account Read More 7th January 2025 'Jools Law’ to be debated in Parliament Read More 7th January 2025 Gloucestershire mum's petition to change law on social media is being debated in parliament Read More 13th December 2024 Bereaved mother brings battle to find out why her 14-year-old son died to Parliament Read More 1st December 2024 Global support for world-first social media reform….British Mum applauds Australian age ban (Australian News Corp Newspapers) Read More 29th November 2024 Bereaved mum's social media battle to be debated by MPs Read More 29th November 2024 BBC News - Lola McEvoy MP called Ms Roome "truly inspiring", adding: "What Ellen's been through is unimaginable for any parent and anybody in the country. Read More 17th September 2024 Grieving families go round in circles sorting out a complex web of accounts Read More 17th September 2024 ‘I just want to understand why he died’: A mother’s battle to find out if social media played a role in her son’s final days Read More 29th June 2024 Online pranks are killing children – but is there any way to stop them? Read More 17th June 2024 Mother left not knowing why son, 14, died battles social media companies for answers Read More 15th June 2024 Heartbroken mum believes son died in online dare gone wrong Read More 12th June 2024 Exclusive: Instagram apologises for ‘ignoring’ requests from grieving mum for data that could relate to teen son’s death Read More 29th May 2024 UK mother of boy who killed himself seeks right to access his social media. Read More 28th May 2024 Petition for parents to access children's social media tops 100k Read More 31st May 2024 ‘I want to know why my precious baby is no longer here’ mum’s heartbreaking plea to social media companies after teen’s tragic death Read More 27th May 2024 Family of teenager found dead at Gloucestershire home call for law to protect children Read More 29th May 2024 Cheltenham mum's campaign to change the law on social media goes to parliament. Read More 28th May 2024 Final push for petition to protect children Read More 14th May 2024 Parents call for law to protect children Read More 26th May 2024 Mother of Jools Sweeney, 14, who took his own life is fighting social media companies for his search Read More

Featuristic Films (https://www.featuristicfilms.com/) signs my Life Rights for factual drama Hide & Seek Media ( https://hideandseekmedia.com/) has been following my journey for the last year to produce a documentary . They are next with me on 10th Dec 2025 to film me at home with my very good friend Charmaine Callaghan.