Following the High Court’s decision in July to quash the original inquest into Jools’ death and order that a completely new inquest be held, the next stage of the process will take place on Monday 2 November 2026 at 1pm at Gloucestershire Coroner’s Court . This will be a Pre Inquest Review hearing, often referred to as a PIR. It is important to explain that this is not Jools’ new inquest and we are not expecting to get answers about what happened to him on 2 November. The purpose of the hearing is to help the Coroner determine what needs to happen before the new inquest can take place, including what further information, evidence and investigations may be required. There are still significant areas that we believe need to be properly explored. Our legal team will be asking the Coroner to consider obtaining further evidence and information so that the new inquest has the fullest possible picture of Jools’ life, particularly his online life, in the period before his death. For us, this is another important step in a very long process. Jools died in April 2022 and, more than four years later, we are still trying to understand what happened to our 14 year old son. The High Court ordering a fresh inquest was hugely significant, but it was not the end of that journey. In many ways, it marked the beginning of a new investigation into the circumstances surrounding Jools’ death. We know many people have been following our journey and have asked whether 2 November might finally bring answers. Sadly, we are still a long way from that point. What we hope the hearing will do is ensure that the right questions are asked, the right evidence is obtained and that, when Jools’ new inquest eventually takes place, no reasonable line of enquiry has simply been left unexplored. We will continue to update everyone as the process moves forward. Thank you, as always, for continuing to support Jools and our fight for answers. Ellen Roome and Matt Sweeney Jools’ Mum and Dad

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.

Ellen Roome MBE is the founder of Jools' Law and an international campaigner for children's online safety. Learn about her journey, landmark legal case and campaign for change. Ellen Roome MBE Founder of Jools' Law and International Campaigner for Children's Online Safety About Me I never imagined that losing my son would lead me into Parliament, the High Court, Downing Street or meetings with government ministers and technology companies around the world. I would give anything for none of that to have happened. I would simply want Jools back. My only child, Julian "Jools" Sweeney, died on 13 April 2022, aged just 14. He was funny, bright, kind and had his whole life ahead of him. For almost two years after Jools died, I was just trying to get through each day. Eventually, I started asking questions about what had happened and why so much of his online activity had never been properly investigated. I had no idea quite how much information social media companies hold about our children. They know what they watch, who they speak to, what they search for and what content is being recommended to them. Yet when a child dies, that information can be lost before anyone has even thought to ask for it. I couldn't understand how this was allowed to happen. If Jools had received a letter in the post, the police would have kept it as potential evidence. Why should messages and activity on his phone be treated any differently? That was really where Jools' Law began. Jools' Law In April 2024, I launched a petition calling for social media companies to automatically preserve a child's online data following their death. More than 126,000 people signed it in just nine days, before Parliament was dissolved for the General Election. The petition led to a Parliamentary debate in January 2025 and opened doors I never expected to walk through. Since then, I have met with ministers, MPs, members of the House of Lords and even 2 Prime Ministers, coroners, police forces, Ofcom and technology companies. I have also worked with bereaved families and campaigners in the UK and overseas. In February 2026, the Government committed to the automatic preservation of children's social media data following their deaths, a major step forward for Jools' Law. My message has always been that when a child dies, their social media data must be preserved automatically. Families should not have to know which company to contact, what information to request or how quickly they need to act. They have enough to deal with. I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved, but we still have work to do to ensure these protections are properly implemented and work in practice. Fighting for a Fresh Inquest While I campaigned to change the law for other families, I also fought for answers about Jools. His original inquest lasted just 23 minutes. I came away with so many unanswered questions, particularly about his online activity and evidence that had never been examined. Over the following years, with the help of some extraordinary people, we uncovered further evidence and serious shortcomings in the original investigation. On 16 July 2026, the High Court quashed Jools' original inquest and ordered a fresh one. It was a landmark judgment, and I had fought for it for over four years. I was relieved, but also incredibly sad that it had taken so much to get there. I have never claimed to know exactly what happened to Jools that night. That is precisely why I have fought so hard for a proper investigation. I want all the evidence to be considered, including his social media activity, so that we can finally understand what happened. The first Pre-Inquest Review for the new inquest is scheduled for November 2026. Children's Online Safety My campaigning has also taken me into the wider issue of children's online safety. The more I have learned about how social media platforms operate, the more concerned I have become about the content children are exposed to and the way algorithms can repeatedly recommend harmful material. I have campaigned for stronger age verification, restrictions on harmful features, greater accountability for technology companies and better protections for children under 16. I have met with 2 Prime Ministers and senior Government ministers, worked alongside other bereaved parents and spoken publicly about why children's safety must come before the commercial interests of technology companies. I don't believe parents should have to be experts in algorithms, online harms and platform design just to keep their children safe. These companies know how their products work. They should be responsible for making them safer. The Personal Side People see the television interviews, meetings in Parliament and awards, but there is another side to all of this. Since losing Jools, I have had to deal with grief, legal battles, the breakdown of relationships and leaving the home where he spent his final days and where he died. There have been times when I have struggled enormously. Campaigning can give me something to focus on, but it doesn't make the grief go away. I still have to live with the fact that my only child is no longer here, and nothing I achieve will ever change that. A documentary and a drama are currently being developed about my journey. It will show the campaigning and the progress we have made, but also what life has really been like behind the scenes. I think it is important that people understand both sides. Recognition In the King's New Year Honours List 2026, I was appointed an MBE for services to children's online safety. In June 2026, I received the Daily Mail Inspirational Women Award, presented by The Princess Royal at St James's Palace. In October 2026, I was also honoured to receive a Pride of Britain Special Recognition Award alongside Ian Russell and Esther Ghey, two other bereaved parents who have done so much to improve children's online safety. I never expected to receive any of these honours. I am extremely grateful, particularly because they help bring attention to the issues we are campaigning to change. But I would exchange every award and every achievement for one more day with Jools. What Comes Next One of the things I have found most difficult since starting this campaign is hearing from other parents who have lost their children and are now facing many of the same problems I encountered.They are grieving, often completely overwhelmed, and suddenly expected to understand police procedures, coroners, digital evidence and the legal system. I have been fortunate to have some incredible people helping me, but not every family has access to that support. That is why I am setting up a charity to help bereaved families navigate these processes and access the practical and professional support they need. I want families to have someone alongside them who understands what needs to happen and can help them ask the right questions. I cannot change what happened to Jools, but I hope that what I have learned, and the changes we have fought for, will make things easier for other families. People often ask how I keep going. I don't really have an answer. Some days are much harder than others, and there are certainly times when I wish I could walk away from it all. But then another parent contacts me, or I see an opportunity to change something that could protect a child, and I know why I need to carry on. I never wanted to become a campaigner. I was simply a mum who wanted to know what happened to her son. And whatever else I achieve, I will always be Jools' mum first. Forever 14.

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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

Go behind the scenes with Ellen Roome MBE and Jools' Law. Discover exclusive photos, videos and stories from the campaign, media appearances, Parliament and the journey to improve children's online safety. Behind the Scenes