Children and teenagers have their own online language, and it changes all the time. Some of it is completely harmless. Some of it is slang between friends. But some terms are specifically used to let others know that a parent is nearby, while others can relate to sex, drugs, alcohol or potentially harmful conversations. I’ve put together this simple guide to some of the terms parents might come across. This isn’t about spying on children or panicking every time we see an abbreviation we don’t recognise. It’s about understanding the digital world they are growing up in and being able to have informed conversations about it. The more we understand their online world, the better equipped we are to spot when something doesn’t feel right. Please save it, share it with other parents, carers and teachers, and most importantly, talk to your children about what they see and experience online. Language changes quickly, so I’d also love to hear from young people and parents. What have I missed? What words or codes are children using now that adults should know about? #OnlineSafety #ChildrensOnlineSafety #JoolsLaw #Parenting #DigitalSafety #Safeguarding #OnlineHarms #SocialMediaSafety

On 26th May 2026, I joined a group of bereaved parents at Downing Street to meet with the Prime Minister. Between us, we have lost children to online harms including suicide, sextortion, dangerous online challenges, grooming, exploitation, and harmful content amplified by social media algorithms. We were not there as campaigners or politicians. We were there as parents. Parents whose children should still be here. One by one, we shared our children's stories. We spoke about who they were, what they loved, and the futures they should have had. We explained how social media platforms played a role in exposing them to harms that no child should face. These were not isolated incidents or tragic accidents. We described systems and features that are deliberately designed to maximise engagement, keep children online for longer, and encourage compulsive use. We discussed a number of harmful features that continue to exist across social media platforms, including: • Endless scrolling and infinite feeds • Algorithmic recommendation systems that push increasingly extreme or harmful content • Livestreaming features that can expose children to abuse, exploitation and harmful interactions • Direct messaging from strangers • Disappearing messages and content that leaves little evidence trail • Addictive engagement tools such as streaks, rewards and notifications designed to drive constant use • Recommendation engines that can rapidly lead vulnerable children towards self-harm, suicide, eating disorder or other harmful content • Features that make it easy for adults to contact, groom or exploit children • Weak age verification systems that are easily bypassed Our message to the Prime Minister was simple. If these companies can remove harmful features, they should do so. If they choose not to remove them, then those platforms should not be available to children. For too long, the debate has focused on banning specific apps. I believe we should focus on the harmful features themselves. If a platform can demonstrate that it is genuinely safe for children, then it should be allowed to operate. If it cannot, children should not be exposed to it. There is also growing discussion about raising the minimum age for social media access to 16. While I welcome the debate, my personal view is that 16 does not go far enough. I believe the age should be 18. The evidence increasingly shows that social media platforms are designed to influence behaviour, emotions and decision-making. We should not be exposing children to these powerful systems while their brains are still developing. No law will bring Jools back. No law will bring back any of the children whose parents sat around that table in Downing Street. But if we are prepared to listen, learn and act, we can prevent other families from experiencing the same devastation. That is why we continue to speak out. That is why we continue to fight. And that is why children's online safety must become a national priority.

Full letter...... Dear Parliamentarians, We are not writing as activists or advocates. We are writing as mothers and fathers whose children are no longer here. We are writing as parents who wake up every day to a silence that should not exist, who go to bed knowing there will be no goodnight, no laughter, no future with the child we raised and loved. The decision by MPs not to raise the age limit for harmful social media platforms to 16 was not just disappointing; it was devastating. The Government's offer, a consultation with no binding commitment and no fixed endpoint, is not an answer to a problem that has already claimed too many young lives. We have already lost our children. We cannot accept a process that risks losing more as discussions continue. We have watched technology companies fight every attempt at meaningful reform. We know how they operate. We know how easily protections are delayed, diluted or quietly dropped when there is no firm legislative commitment. We are also deeply concerned about the consultation itself. It was announced at the eleventh hour, in the days before your previous vote. It proposes an expert panel of academics but leaves little or no space for those on the frontline, those who see the consequences every single day, such as GPs, police officers and others dealing with the reality of harm as it unfolds. Beyond this, the Government is seeking powers that would allow future measures to be introduced with little or no opportunity for you, as elected representatives, to scrutinise or challenge them. We cannot ignore what this means. It means there is a real risk of half-measures. Measures that sound like action, but do not prevent harm. Measures that will not stop other families from becoming like ours, families who are left desperately sad and broken forever. And if those measures are passed in this way, you may not have the chance to stop them. More parents will lose their children in circumstances that could and should have been prevented. And while others move on, we are the ones left behind, serving a life sentence without our children. More families will sit in rooms filled with their child’s belongings, knowing they will never be used again. More birthdays will become anniversaries. And right now, across the UK, parents are not waiting for consultations or future reviews. They are watching their children scroll, message and engage on platforms they know are not safe. They are trying to set boundaries without the support of the law. They are fearful, overwhelmed and doing their best to protect their children in a system that is not designed to help them. They are asking you. They are pleading with you to act now. To give them something they do not currently have: the ability to say no, backed by law the ability to protect their children before harm happens, not after You voted for change in January, and you were right to do so. Lord Nash’s cross-party amendment provides time for implementation, involves the Chief Medical Officer, and represents a careful, considered and credible path forward. It is a commitment to act. That commitment is what is missing from the Government’s position. We are left with bedrooms that remain untouched, phones that will never light up again, and questions that will never be answered. We are not here because this is our profession. We are here because this is our reality. And we are asking you, with everything we have left, to act so that other parents do not have to live it too. Please vote today to reject the Government’s amendments. Please vote for Lord Nash’s cross-party amendment. Please vote to raise the age. Yours sincerely, Ellen Roome MBE (Mother of Jools Sweeney) and co-signed by the following bereaved parents: Amanda Stephens (Mother of Olly Stephens) Areti Nicolaou (Mother of Christoforos) Beth Layton (Mother to Elsa Layton-Jones) Eliza Gabb (Mother of Sky Gabb) Esther Ghey (Mother of Brianna Ghey) George Nicolaou (Father of Christoforos) Hollie Dance (Mother of Archie Battersbee) Ian Banyard (Father to Lacey Banyard) Lisa Kenevan (Mother of Isaac Kenevan) Lorin LaFave (Mother of Breck Bednar) Mariano Janin (Father of Mia Janin) Matthew Sweeney (Father of Jools Sweeney) Michael Absalom (Father of Kady Absalom) Michelle Barrett (Mother of Kibi Wade) Michelle Gardner (Stepmother of Kibi Wade) Penny Banyard (Mother to Lacey Banyard) Ruth Moss (Mother to Sophie Moss) Stuart Stephens (Father of Olly Stephens) Tanya Absalom (Mother of Kady Absalom) Terry Layton (Father to Elsa Layton-Jones)

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Discover the television projects inspired by Jools' Law, including the documentary by Hide&Seek Media following Ellen Roome's journey and the ITV drama in development by BAFTA-winning writer Jeff Pope and Etta Pictures. TV Drama - produced by Jeff Pope's Indie, Etta Pictures, Part of ITV Studios ITV’s Director of Drama, Polly Hill, has commissioned a drama depicting the devastating global impact of social media on children and examining the extent to which technology companies are able to evade responsibility and scrutiny, following the inspirational story of Ellen Roome MBE and the other families all over the world who have campaigned tirelessly for online safety for children in the digital age. Jeff’s interest in the drama came about after meeting Lauren Cowell, who has been working with Ellen. Ellen believes that the tragic death of her beloved 14-year-old son Julian ‘Jools’ Sweeney could have been linked to harmful social media. Ellen will act as a consultant for the drama, and she will work with Jeff Pope and his production team at Etta Pictures throughout the writing of the series. Alongside Jeff Pope, Lauren Cowell, who approached ITV with the idea for the drama, will executive produce the series. The drama is produced in association with Featuristic Films. Read the full article here Documentary – In Production (Hide&Seek Media) For the past two years, documentary filmmaker Dominic Streeter and the team at Hide&Seek Media have been following my journey, documenting not only my campaign for Jools' Law, but also the personal reality of life after losing my son, Jools. What began as a story about a bereaved mother searching for answers has become something far greater. It captures the relentless fight for truth, the campaign that led to Jools' Law becoming law, and the landmark High Court judgment that ordered a fresh inquest into Jools' death because vital digital evidence had not been properly obtained or examined. Alongside the campaign, I have faced profound personal challenges: the breakdown of relationships, having to leave the home where Jools spent his final days and where he died, and trying to rebuild a life while carrying unimaginable grief. The cameras have captured everything. You will see moments of hope, determination and success. But you will also see the devastating reality of grief. You will see me broken. You will see me on my knees. You will see the toll this journey has taken on every part of my life. And you will also see that, somehow, I keep getting back up. This documentary is about far more than one family. It exposes the gaps that failed Jools and continue to fail children today, particularly around social media data, safeguarding and the early investigation of a child's death. It shows why families deserve answers, why digital evidence matters, and why the system had to change. As my wonderful Jools once said to me in a video I have watched countless times: "I know you can do this, Mum. Be strong and stay brave. I love you." Those words have carried me through my darkest days. My hope is that this documentary will spark important conversations, challenge those in positions of responsibility, and encourage further change, not only in the UK but around the world. If sharing the most painful chapter of my life helps even one bereaved family receive the answers they deserve, then every difficult moment of making this documentary will have been worthwhile. Above all, I hope it ensures that Jools' life, and his legacy, continue to make the world a safer place for children.

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News Articles LBC 17 July 2026 Ellen Roome reveals son Jools Sweeney was sent link 'from an organised crime gang' on Instagram shortly before his death Read Article The Telegraph 17 July 2026 Mother of boy ‘who died in TikTok challenge’ wins fight for fresh inquest Read Article LBC 16 July 2026 Mother wins fresh fight for inquest following death of son, 14, who took part in social media ‘blackout challenge’ Read Article The Independent 16 July 2026 Mother of Jools Sweeney hopes new inquest into son’s death is a ‘turning point’ Read Article Metro 16 July 2026 Mum of boy, 14, who may have died in TikTok challenge wins fight for new inquest Read Article The Times 16 July 2026 Inquest reopened into death of boy, 14, ‘after TikTok challenge’ Read Article The Guardian 16 July 2026 Inquest reopened into death of 14-year-old boy after ‘TikTok blackout challenge’ Read Article BBC News 16 July 2026 Teenager's inquest to reopen after mum's campaign Read Article Sky News 16 July 2026 Teen's mother calls for greater online child safety as High Court orders new inquest into son's death Read Article Daily Mirror 16 July 2026 Inquest into death of boy, 14, to be re-opened after grieving mum raises social media concerns Read Article ITV News 16 July 2026 'Every family deserves to know': Inquest into death of Jools Sweeney, 14, to be re-opened Read Article Daily Mail 16 July 2026 Mother wins fight to reopen inquest into son's 'death in TikTok challenge' Read Article Deadline 15 July 2026 ITV, Jeff Pope & Lauren Cowell Teaming On “Devastating” Drama About Social Media’s Impact On Kids Read Article The Independent 15 July 2026 ITV drama to explore tragic death of teen believed to be linked to social media dare Read Article Punchline-Gloucester 15 July 2026 JOOLS’ LAW: Landmark hearing to take place tomorrow Read Article BBC News 14 July 2026 Midnight social media curfew proposed for UK teens aged 16 and 17 Read Article BBC News 16 June 2026 Hurt social media firms' pockets, bereaved mum says Read Article LBC 15 June 2026 Mother of boy, 14, who died in online challenge 'delighted' with social media ban - but says parents need more details Read Article The Independent 15 June 2026 ‘I believe my son, 14, died in an online challenge that went wrong – I cried when Starmer announced a social media ban’ Read Article BBC News 15 June 2026 Social media ban 'fantastic' says bereaved mum Read Article Daily Mail 8 June 2026 Keir Starmer 'to announce social media ban' for under-16s - as ministers claim PM has entered his 'legacy era' Read Article LBC 5 June 2026 "We'll take you on": Starmer warns Big Tech 'things will change' as ministers consider under 16s social media ban Read Article Daily Mail 3 June 2026 Royal honour for the Daily Mail's Inspirational Women! Princess Anne hosts winners of our prestigious award at St James's Palace - including Southport teacher Leanne Lucas Read Article The Independent 27 May 2026 Molly Russell’s bereaved father demands government makes internet ‘as safe as possible’ Read Article The Daily Express 27 May 2026 Ellen featured on the front page of the Daily Express Read Article GB News 26 May 2026 Wes Streeting joins campaign for internet clampdown Read Article LBC 26 May 2026 Campaigners to push Starmer to introduce social media ban for under-16s in crunch Downing Street meeting Read Article The Independent 26 May 2026 Social media as dangerous as smoking for children, doctors warn Read Article The Guardian 26 May 2026 Mother of boy who may have died in TikTok challenge urges No 10 to ban social media Read Article BBC News 26 May 2026 Starmer vows to act on social media after meeting bereaved parents Read Article The Mirror 25 May 2026 Bereaved parents take teen social media ban fight to No10 as Keir Starmer urged 'act now' Read Article The Mirror 17 May 2026 Lauren Cowell demands Keir Starmer 'looks in the eyes' of bereaved families Read Article ITV 14 May 2026 Cheltenham mum who believes son died from online challenge says prime minister 'ignored' talks Read Article BBC News 14 May 2026 Bereaved mum claims PM 'ignoring' meeting request Read Article The Mirror 7 May 2026 Mirror poll reveals even more people support social media ban for under 16s Read Article Stylist 3 May 2026 "When my son died without explanation, I couldn't access his online life. NowI've changed the law" Read Article BBC News 28 April 2026 Social media restrictions for under-16s even if no ban, minister says Read Article The Telegraph 27 April 2026 Lords defeat Labour for fourth time on social media ban for children Read Article LBC 26 April 2026 Lords to vote on move to delay social media ban Read Article The Mirror 26 April 2026 Bereaved mother urges social media ban for children ahead of Lords debate Read Article LBC 20 April 2026 Peer backing social media ban says there’s ‘no time for game-playing’ ahead of vote Read Article Nation Cymru 20 April 2026 Peer advocating social media ban says there’s ‘no time for game-playing’ ahead of vote Read Article The Telegraph 20 April 2026 Labour in new dispute with Lords over social media ban Read Article National Cyber Security 19 April 2026 TikTok faces lawsuit from parents of UK teens over alleged challenge-related deaths Read Article GB News 19 April 2026 Labour calls for greater youth input on online safety amid calls for a social media ban Read Article Inside Telecom 17 April 2026 Starmer’s plan to protect UK children from social media Read Article interactive investor 17 April 2026 Reeves says UK must take time on child social media restrictions Read Article LBC 16 April 2026 No more meetings and photo ops, Keir Starmer must act now on online safety, writes Ellen Roome Read Article LBC 16 April 2026 We need to tackle ‘junk information’ online, says Streeting - as he agrees to meet mother whose son took his own life in online challenge Read Article LBC 16 April 2026 PM hints social media ban for children IS coming as he vows to act Read Article The Express 16 April 2026 Fury as Labour blocks age limits on social media - 'How many more children must die?' Read Article GB News 16 April 2026 Keir Starmer summons social media bosses to No10 as Labour weighs new restrictions Read Article Metro 15 April 2026 How Many More Children Must Die? - Parents call for action on social media Read Article The Guardian 15 April 2026 MPs vote against social media ban for under-16s a second time Read Article LBC 15 April 2026 Tech bosses summoned to Downing Street as PM urges new protections for children on social media Read Article The Mirror 14 April 2026 TikTok Boss Questioned Over Teen Death Concerns Read Article The Mirror 13 April 2026 EXCLUSIVE: Lauren Cowell on the heartbreaking reason she wants social media law change Read Article Daily Mail 4 April 2026 My son was last seen laughing with his best friend, an hour later I found him dead in his bedroom - I blame social media and will not rest until Silicon Valley takes responsibility for their 'dangerous' products Read Article Outlook Business 1 April 2026 Riots, Frauds and Threats to Sovereignty: The Dark Side of Safe Harbour to Big Tech in India Read Article The Spectator 29 March 2026 A social media ban for under-16s is long overdue Read Article The Times 26 March 2026 It’s too late for us. Tech giants’ money won’t bring our children back Read Article BBC News 25 March 2026 Campaigners welcome Meta and YouTube's defeat in landmark social media addiction trial Read Article LBC 25 March 2026 Don't let more children die’: Grieving mothers issue urgent plea to ban social media for U-16s ahead of crunch vote Read Article Sky News 25 March 2026 Bereaved mother's message to Starmer on social media ban Read Article BBC News 18 March 2026 Mum seeks new inquest into online challenge death Read Article LBC 16 March 2026 Mother wins approval to seek new inquest into son’s death over alleged online ‘blackout challenge’ Read Article The Mirror 10 March 2026 Bereaved mum makes demand to 'save' other parents' kids after her son's death Read Article BBC 10 March 2026 Mum 'frustrated' as social media ban rejected Read Article Punchline 10 March 2026 Cheltenham mum not giving up after MPs reject social media ban for under-16s Read Article The Independent 6 March 2026 Bereaved parents urge MPs to support social media ban for under-16s Read Article The Times 17 February 2026 After my son died I got social media law changed — now to ban it Read Article So Glos 16 February 2026 'No platform gets a free pass' – Cheltenham mum and social media safety activist achieves landmark change in law Read Article BBC 16 February 2026 Bereaved mum in tears as data campaign to become law Read Article People 16 February 2026 Meghan Markle and Prince Harry Highlight a Mother’s Fight That Changed U.K. Law: 'One Parent Can Change Everything' Read Article GB News 16 February 2026 Mother of teenager who died during online 'blackout' challenge hails 'fantastic' social media ban Read Article BBC News 28 January 2026 Grieving mum gains support for new data sharing law Read Article Sky News 27 January 2026 How one teenager’s death could change how social media companies operate Read Article LBC 26 January 2026 Bereaved parents claim regulator not keeping children safe online Read Article BBC News 25 January 2026 Bereaved parents fear delays to social media ban could harm children Read Article Daily Mail 22 January 2026 My happy 14-year-old son ate pizza and played football with a friend... a few hours later, he was dead. I still don't know what happened in his final moments - but I have my suspicions and all parents must heed my warning Read Article Mirror 22 January 2026 'TikTok won't let me see what my son was watching on his phone just before he died' Read Article BBC News 20 January 2026 Mother joins bereaved parents at minister meeting Read Article The Independent 20 January 2026 Six families sue TikTok after their kids die trying viral ‘choking challenge’ Read Article GB News 19 January 2026 Mother launches legal action against TikTok over death of teen son after 'refusing' her access to his data Read Article The Daily Telegrapgh -AUSTRALIA 17 January 2026 http://‘Deeply painful’: Mother sues TikTok over son’s death Read Article BBC News 17 January 2026 Grieving mum suing TikTok says hearing was 'painful' Read Article LBC 16 January 2026 Boy, 14, died in mother’s arms after viral challenge - and she’s suing TikTok for answers in US court Read Article BBC News 16 January 2026 Bereaved mother hopes for TikTok 'accountability' Read Article Mirror 16 January 2026 Mum suing TikTok over death of child gives parents chilling warning Read Article Daily Mail 16 January 2026 British parents fighting TikTok in US courts over 'blackout challenge' deaths of their children say social media giants must be held accountable Read Article ITV News 16 January 2026 'We have a global problem': The UK families suing TikTok in the US over the deaths of their children Read Article The Independent 16 January 2026 Five British families sue TikTok over deaths of their children in landmark US case Read Article The sun 16 January 2026 ‘THEY’RE LAUGHING AT US’ My son Jools, 14, died in my arms after deadly viral challenge – now I’m suing TikTok in US court for answers Read Article Sky News 16 January 2026 Parents say their children died taking part in viral trend - now they're set to face TikTok in court Read Article ITV News 13 January 2026 Mother from Cheltenham bringing legal action against TikTok in the US over her son's death Read Article BBC News 12 January 2026 Bereaved mum hopes phone data could hold evidence Read Article Punchline 12 January 2026 Cheltenham mum sues TikTok in US court Read Article BBC News 11 January 2026 TV drama being made about bereaved mum's fight Read Article So Glos 30 December 2025 Campaigner Ellen Roome awarded MBE in New Year's honours Read Article The Independent 30 December 2025 Mother made MBE for online safety campaign after death of teenage son Read Article