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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.

Joolslaw - Automatic preservation of children’s online data when a death is reported. Ellen Roome is fighting for transparency and safety in the digital space so no other family has to endure the pain she has suffered. Jools' Law I'm Ellen Roome. When my son Jools died in April 2022, I discovered firsthand how difficult it is for bereaved families to access their child’s online data. Social media companies hold vital evidence about what children see, share, and experience online; however, the current system makes it almost impossible for families or even coroners to obtain this information in a timely manner before data is lost or deleted. That’s why I launched Jools’ Law: a campaign to make sure children’s social media data is automatically preserved the moment a death is reported. Without this safeguard, evidence disappears, families are left without answers, and opportunities to protect other children are lost. What is Jools’ Law? Jools’ Law calls for: Automatic preservation of children’s online data when a death is reported. Release of that data to coroners, not directly to families, to ensure independence and safety. Clear processes and default standards so evidence isn’t missed because coroners or parents don’t know which platforms or data types to request. Where the Current Law Falls Short Under the new Online Safety framework, two legal tools exist – but both have critical gaps: Data Preservation Notices (DPNs): From 30 September 2025, Ofcom can issue preservation notices – but only if coroners provide details of specific services. There is no default list of platforms, so much may still be missed. Coroner Information Notices (CINs): Coroners must already know which services to request data from and what to obtain. These gaps mean: Parents rarely have the devices or usernames – in most cases, the police take them on the day a child dies. This means families are not in a position to provide coroners with the information about accounts that may exist. The system, therefore, needs to function without relying on parents having access to the child’s usernames, which they may not know anyway. Feeds vs searches – harmful content is often fed to children via algorithms, not just what they actively search for. Any Ofcom template for coroners must prompt them to request information on both types of content. Coroners’ knowledge gap – many coroners will not be familiar with social media platforms themselves. That makes it even more critical that the Ofcom template is structured, practical, and prompts them about the types of data available. Automatic preservation – I think there is a strong case for Ofcom to issue automatic Data Preservation Notices to a standard set of major regulated services whenever a child’s death is reported. This would ensure immediate preservation while relieving coroners and families of an impossible burden, and could then be supplemented by additional requests once specific accounts are identified. Quite often with children’s deaths, an inquest is opened and then suspended, creating a dangerous gap because, unless there is an automatic system in place, coroners may not be able to issue DPNs during that suspended period. In practice, this could mean that crucial data is lost in the early days following a child’s death, when time is most critical. It may be many months, potentially years, before the coroner is instructed to proceed, by which point the opportunity to preserve vital evidence may have passed. That is why any solution must ensure that DPNs are issued automatically at the point of a child’s death being reported, regardless of the status of the inquest. My Campaign Priorities Through Jools’ Law, I am working to change this system. My campaign focuses on: Automatic preservation – so no child’s data is lost in the crucial first hours and days. Standardised guidance for coroners – a clear “menu” of data categories and platforms. Closing procedural gaps – so handovers between coroners and police do not result in lost evidence. Parliamentary change – pushing for amendments to existing laws and new safeguards for bereaved families. When I first launched the campaign, I started with a government petition. It needed 100,000 signatures to be debated in Parliament. Due to a sudden general election, I discovered I had just nine days to reach that goal. With the help of complete strangers who shared Jools’ story, I achieved the impossible – finishing with 126,033 signatures. 👉 Read more about the petition and debate in Parliament » However, whilst this generated a great debate, I knew it couldn’t stop there. I went on to meet with ministers to push for Jools’ Law to be included in the Data Use and Access Bill, which at that time was working its way through Parliament. That bill went on to receive Royal Assent, but I wanted more than the limited provisions it offered. Jools’ Law must go further to truly protect children’s data and give bereaved families the answers they deserve. Why This Matters No parent should have to fight for scraps of information about their child’s final moments online. No coroner should have to guess which platforms might hold vital evidence. And no child’s death should go unexplained because data was deleted before anyone acted. Jools’ Law is simple: The automatic preservation of a child’s social media data the moment a death is reported – ensuring coroners can access the truth, and families can get answers. On 16th Oct 2025 Baroness Kidron spoke in the House of Lords, stating that she would be tabling amendments to make Data Preservation on the death of a child automatic. Alongside campaigning for Jools’ Law, I am also: Legal action in the USA – Together with five other British parents, I am suing TikTok in Delaware, USA. 👉 Read more about the TikTok lawsuit Click or Quit campaign – I am working with 1decision to produce the “Click or Quit” campaign for children, schools and parents. It aims to equip children with the knowledge and confidence to recognise online risks and make safer choices, helping to prevent harm to themselves and others. 👉 Read more about Click or Quit Fundraising for Papyrus – I actively fundraise for Papyrus – Prevention of Young Suicide, the UK charity dedicated to the prevention of suicide in young people. 👉 Donate to Papyrus here Bereaved Families for Online Safety – I am a member of Bereaved Families for Online Safety, a UK-based group of parents and families who have lost children or siblings to harms linked to online platforms. United by tragedy, we work together to campaign for stronger online safety laws, better regulation of tech companies, and meaningful change to protect other children and families. 👉 Read more about Bereaved Families for Online Safety Documentary project – A documentary team is following my journey. One day, you will be able to watch the full story of my challenging fight for answers and change.

Applying to the High Court for a new inquest for Jools to try to use the new Date Use and Access Bill for answers. “I will keep going until I find the truth about what happened to my son and make sure no other parent has to fight this hard for answers.” — Ellen Roome, Jools’ Mum Timeline of Events (Last updated 5 Dec 2025) December 2025 1 December – Ellen on BBC Breakfast providing an update as to police involvement (play video below) November 2025 28 November – Gloucestershire Constabulary has confirmed a full independent review of Jools’ case, led by newly appointed Senior Investigating Officer Gary Haskins , formerly Head of Major Crime. The review will examine all original case material alongside Fedora’s 23-page report, pursue any new lines of enquiry, and reassess the original outcome. Police have committed to a rigorous, transparent process. 21 November – A positive meeting was held with Gloucestershire Constabulary, who were genuinely caring in their approach. We are now awaiting their formal response, giving them the necessary time to review Fedora’s 23-page independent report. They have confirmed they will reply by 28 November. 2 November – Meeting confirmed for 21 November with Assistant Chief Constable Richard Ocone ; Detective Superintendent Steve Bean (Head of Public Protection); Mick Randall (Fedora Investigations); Mark Bramah (former Senior Investigating Officer); Matt Sweeney (Jools’ dad); and me. October 2025 24 October – Emailed Assistant Chief Constable Richard Ocone at Gloucestershire Police to request a meeting to discuss major concerns about Jools’ case. 16 October – Received a comprehensive 23-page report from Mick Randall (Fedora Investigations ). It provides an independent and detailed review of how Gloucestershire Police handled Jools’ case and highlights serious failings. September 2025 7 September – A highly experienced forensic specialist re-examined Jools’ devices. 5 September – I’ve written a full ‘brain dump’ of Jools’ last day . Every moment, every tiny detail I can remember, laid out in a timeline. It was incredibly painful to relive, but the experts asked me to do this so they could piece together what happened, and so much was overlooked in the original investigation. Even something as simple as Jools wearing different clothes when I found him compared to earlier in the day… why wasn’t this noticed? Is it relevant? I don’t know. But now, I must let the experts do their job. I am beyond grateful for their kindness in helping me. 4 September – Had a two-hour meeting with two former Senior Investigating Officers and my barrister, Harry Lambert . For the first time, I finally felt heard. What I have always believed was overlooked has now been confirmed as entirely reasonable and correct. Their words, not mine. August 2025 31 August 2025 – I’m now gathering every piece of evidence and paperwork to submit my application to the Attorney General. On Thursday, I have an important meeting with a former Senior Investigating Officer and a forensic expert, both of whom have kindly offered to help me review the police report. It’s a huge step forward — finally looking at what was done, and what wasn’t, at the original inquest with people who truly understand the process. All of this will then go to my barrister , who is also a coroner , and has generously offered to represent me without charge . I am deeply grateful for the people who have come forward to help, but it’s still such a painful journey, piecing everything together and wondering how so much could have been missed. 19 August 2025 – I finally received the police report . Sadly, it contains no new information. I have sent it straight to my lawyers for review, but it’s hard not to feel disheartened. Every delay and every blank page is another reminder of how far I still have to go to uncover the truth about what happened to Jools. 18 August 2025 – I emailed the Minister, Rt Hon Dame Diana Johnson DBE , to complain that Gloucestershire Police had failed to respond to my request for the overdue report and now appeared to be ignoring my emails. 9 August 2025 – Back on 7 July, Gloucestershire Constabulary’s Legal Services Department told me I would receive the police report on Jools’ devices by 4 August . Then I was told it would arrive by the end of this week, which I assumed meant yesterday. Perhaps their definition of “the end of the week” is different. Either way, the report has still not arrived. I have chased again. The waiting never seems to end. July 2025 23 July 2025 – I received a letter from Minister Alex Davies-Jones at the Ministry of Justice . She wrote that while she and her colleagues deeply sympathise with my loss and my determination to find the truth, they cannot formally support my application for a fresh inquest. The decision must be made independently by the Attorney General , who alone can grant a Fiat (permission) for a new investigation. Although disappointing, she acknowledged the importance of my campaign and my ongoing efforts to seek answers. 17 July 2025 – I wrote again to Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP , raising my concerns about the app LMK and about WhatsApp . The children’s codes do not cover these private messaging platforms in the Online Safety Act because they are encrypted and not public platforms. Yet they are often used by predators to move children from open platforms into private chats, away from safety and oversight. This loophole continues to put children at risk. 16 July 2025 – Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP , Secretary of State, Department for Science, Innovation & Technology , replied to me, and you can see his letter here. 7 July 2025 – The Police Legal Team confirmed that I would receive their full report by 4 August. June to July 2025 2 July 2025 – I wrote to Gloucestershire Constabulary’s Legal Team requesting complete clarity on what data was reviewed, how, and when. I also asked which of Jools’ social media accounts the police located before the inquest. I can only hope this doesn’t take another nine months to receive, as it did when I first asked for the police file on Jools. When that file finally came, much of it was redacted. I raised this with Rt Hon Dame Diana Johnson DBE MP, Minister of State for Policing and Crime Prevention , and was told: “When responding to a data subject access request pursuant to the Data Protection Act 2018, the law allows law enforcement authorities, in this case the Gloucestershire Constabulary, to restrict the response (for example by redacting) if that is necessary and proportionate for a range of circumstances, including to avoid prejudicing the prevention, detection or investigation of criminal offences or to protect the rights and freedoms of others.” It was another reminder of how hard it is for parents to access the very information that could explain what happened to their children. 26 June 2025 – I wrote to the following ministers asking for their support in my application to the Attorney General for a new inquest for Jools: Alex Davies-Jones, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Justice Dame Diana Johnson DBE MP, Minister of State for Policing and Crime Prevention Rt Hon Peter Kyle MP , Secretary of State, Department for Science, Innovation and Technology Baroness Maggie Jones , Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, DSIT May to June 2025 6 June 2025 – The Coroner returned several documents. The next step is to obtain statements from Jools’ friends. 27 May 2025 – I wrote formally to the Coroner. After Jools’ inquest , I only ever received the final inquest pack, but lawyers have since told me there should have been more documentation shared. I’ve asked to see the full records and have requested that the Coroner support my application for a fresh inquest . Jools’ inquest file had been archived, so I am now waiting for it to be returned. It’s another slow, emotional process, but one that I have to see through to the end.

Ellen Roome achieved 126,033 petition signatures for Jools’ Law within days, resulting in a Parliamentary debate in January 2025 My Parliament Campaign 12th November 2025 - I have been invited to the House of Lords on 8 December for a meeting with: Baroness Beeban Kidron Baroness Diana Barran Baroness Nicky Morgan Lord Tim Clement-Jones These peers are the official sponsors of Baroness Kidron’s amendment. Up to four sponsors can support an amendment, including the peer who originally tables it, so having full backing at this stage is a very positive sign. 16th October 2025 - during Second Reading of the Crime and Policing Bill in the Lords, Baroness Beeban Kidron said she had “four further areas of concern.” Her first was the way Data Preservation Notices (DPNs) from the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025 are working in practice. She reminded the House that peers had added provisions empowering coroners to require tech firms to preserve data when a child has died, noted that proposals for automatic preservation and statutory guidance were rejected, and said bereaved families still aren’t benefiting because notices aren’t used quickly enough or understood, and that she will table amendments to make the law work as intended. 23rd September 2025 – I responded to the Government’s consultation on Data Preservation Notices (DPNs) and Coroner Information Notices (CINs), highlighting gaps that put vital digital evidence at risk. I called for automatic preservation of a child’s social media data, standardised templates, and clear oversight to ensure bereaved families can access crucial information about their child’s final days. 14th August 2025 – met with Baroness Beeban Kidron OBE, a life peer in the UK House of Lords and internationally recognised for her work on children’s digital rights, online safety, and how the digital environment intersects with childhood. During our discussion, I raised my concerns that the new Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, specifically Data Preservation Notices — is still not working properly in practice for bereaved families. 15th May 2025 – I met with Minister Jones (Department of Science and Technology), Minister Johnson (Home Office), and Minister Davies-Jones (Minister of Justice) to discuss the Data Bill. I stressed the urgent need for training for Police and Coroners so the powers in the Bill are understood and applied, ensuring no other bereaved parent is left without vital data. 13th January 2025 – My petition was debated in Parliament. MPs agreed that parents should have the right to seek answers using social media data when a child has died. I was offered a ministerial meeting and continued to press for an amendment to the Data (Use and Access) Bill. 17th July 2024 – During the King’s Speech at the State Opening of Parliament, the Government confirmed that the Data (Use and Access) Bill would be reintroduced. 30th May 2024 – The petition closed with 126,033 signatures – well above the 100,000 threshold needed for a Parliamentary debate. 28th May 2024 – We reached 100,000 signatures. I was on a train to London and felt overwhelmed. 21st May 2024 – With just nine days before petitions were due to close early because of the General Election, I asked the public for one birthday wish: “Please sign and share my petition.” Grace Carter made another video appeal, which helped push signatures to the finish line. 27th April 2024 – I launched a government petition: #JoolsLaw – Parents to have full access to their children’s social media. My son Jools was 14 when he ended his life in 2022. Since then, I have never been able to access his accounts to see what might have contributed. Parents should have the right to access their children’s social media accounts, both while alive (to help keep them safe) and after death. Grace Carter, who I had never met before, reached out from Aphra and offered to create a video to support the petition. Her help was invaluable in building momentum.

Let's Chat Phone +44 79710 05498 Email ellenroome@icloud.com Contact Feel free to get in touch with any questions, support, or media enquiries. Let's Chat Phone +44 79710 05498 Email ellenroome@icloud.com Social Media First Name Last Name Email Message Send Thanks for submitting!

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. Behind the Scenes

We are suing TikTok in the U.S. state of Delaware over the tragic wrongful deaths of our children, you can follow this journey here. Lawsuit against TikTok The UK Parents Suing TikTok We are the first UK parents to sue TikTok in the U.S. state of Delaware over the wrongful deaths of our children, who are believed to have died after being exposed to the so-called “Blackout Challenge” promoted through TikTok’s algorithms. You can watch more about our case in the BBC iPlayer documentary The Families Taking TikTok to Court, featuring Laura Kuenssberg in conversation with us as four British families pursuing justice. 🎥 [Watch the programme here ] Despite repeated requests, TikTok has refused to release our children’s online activity data — information we believe is vital to understanding what truly influenced their actions and whether the platform’s recommendations played a fatal role. 👉 You can [read the full complaint here ]. Update: Court Date Confirmed Our lawsuit has reached a crucial milestone. Our first hearing, a Motion to Dismiss which is set for 16 January 2026 and will take place via Zoom (unusually, for such a hearing). If we succeed at this stage, the case will move into Discovery, where TikTok will finally be forced to release our children’s data (if it hasn’t already been deleted). The case is being brought by five British parents: Ellen Roome, Lisa Kenevan, Hollie Dance, Liam Walsh, and Louise Gibson. Together, we are standing up not only for our own children - Jools, Archie, Isaac, Maia, and Noah- but for every child. This is about truth, transparency, and accountability. Follow the Case You can also follow the legal progress via Delaware’s CourtConnect system: 🔗 [View the Civil Docket Report for Case N25C-02-073 ] This unofficial docket provides a real-time overview of court filings, motions, hearing dates, and rulings. Please note that while useful, it’s not an official court document, and some formatting or details may differ from certified records. Why We’re Fighting If Jools' Law already existed in the UK, we wouldn’t have to fight for access to our children’s data. Jools’ Law would ensure that when a child dies, their online data is automatically preserved and shared with the Coroner — giving parents the truth they deserve. Our fight continues for truth, transparency, and justice in loving memory of Jools, Archie, Isaac, Maia, and Noah and to protect your children and to hold Big Tech accountable.