Tag Archives: charity

Molly Russell Charity allegedly received donations from Meta and Pinterest for Internet Safety purposes.

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A large donation was reportedly made to the Molly Rose Foundation by Meta and Pinterest, two major companies in the online sphere. The foundation was established as part of the Internet Safety Campaign and is named after Molly Russell, a 14-year-old who tragically took her own life in 2017 after being exposed to harmful content related to suicide and self-harm on social media platforms.

The latest annual report of the foundation mentions grants received from anonymous donors, with the stipulation that the details of the donations remain private as requested by the trustee.

According to reports from the BBC, Meta and Pinterest are believed to have made these donations starting from 2024 and are expected to continue for the foreseeable future. The exact amount of the donations has not been disclosed, but it is known that the Russell family has not received any financial compensation from the contributions.

In a statement, the Russell family expressed their commitment to utilizing the funds for the shared purpose of promoting a positive online experience for young people, as a response to Molly’s tragic passing. They clarified that they will never accept any compensation related to Molly’s death.

These donations come at a time when social media companies are facing heightened scrutiny for the impact of their platforms on the mental health of children. Meta announced significant policy changes, including the removal of fact checkers to enhance freedom of speech and reduce censorship, relying on users to report objectionable content instead.

The Molly Rose Foundation has raised concerns about the heightened risk of young people being exposed to harmful content online due to these changes. They have launched campaigns advocating for stronger online safety regulations and increased accountability for content driven by algorithms.

The charity has recently expanded its team, recruiting a CEO, two public policy managers, a communications manager, and a fundraiser in the past nine months. Molly’s father, Ian Russell, serves as the foundation’s unpaid trustee and continues to be a prominent figure in internet safety advocacy.

Both Meta and Pinterest were contacted for comments by The Guardian but have not responded at the time of reporting.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Tackling the Issue of Pedophiles Using AI to Generate Nude Images of Children for Extortion, Charity Warns

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An organization dedicated to fighting child abuse has reported that pedophiles are being encouraged to utilize artificial intelligence to generate nude images of children and coerce them into producing more explicit content.

The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) stated that a manual discovered on the dark web included a section advising criminals to use a “denuding” tool to strip clothing from photos sent by children. These photos could then be used for blackmail purposes to obtain further graphic material.

The IWF expressed concern over the fact that perpetrators are now discussing and promoting the use of AI technologies for these malicious purposes.


The charity, known for identifying and removing child sexual abuse content online, initiated an investigation into cases of sextortion last year. They observed a rise in incidents where victims were coerced into sharing explicit images under threat of exposure. Additionally, the use of AI to create highly realistic abusive content was noted.

The author of the online manual, who remains anonymous, claimed to have successfully coerced 13-year-old girls into sharing nude images online. The IWF reported the document to the UK National Crime Agency.

Recent reports by The Guardian suggested that there were discussions within the Labour party about banning tools that create nude imagery.

According to the IWF, 2023 witnessed a record number of extreme cases of child sexual abuse. Over 275,000 web pages containing such material, including content depicting rape, sadism, and bestiality, were identified, marking the highest number on record. This included a significant amount of Category A content, the most severe form containing explicit and harmful images.

The IWF further discovered 2,401 images of self-produced child sexual abuse material involving children aged three to six, where victims were manipulated or threatened to record their own abuse. The incidents were observed in domestic settings like bedrooms and kitchens.

Susie Hargreaves, the CEO of IWF, emphasized the urgent need to educate children on recognizing danger and safeguarding themselves against manipulative criminals. She stressed the importance of the recently passed Online Safety Act to protect children on social media platforms.

Security Minister Tom Tugendhat advised parents to engage in conversations with their children about safe internet usage. He emphasized the responsibility of tech companies to implement stronger safeguards against abuse.

Research published by Ofcom revealed that a significant percentage of young children own mobile phones and engage in social media. The government is considering measures such as raising the minimum age for social media use and restricting smartphone sales to minors.

Source: www.theguardian.com

Charity warns that UK children are facing a relentless onslaught of gambling advertisements and images online

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New research has discovered that despite restrictions on advertising campaigns targeting young people, children are being inundated with gambling promotions and content that resembles gambling while browsing the internet.

The study, commissioned by charity GambleAware and funded by donations from gambling companies, highlights the blurred line between gambling advertising and online casino-style games, leading to a rise in online gambling with children unaware of the associated risks. It warns that gambling advertisements featuring cartoon graphics can strongly attract children. Recently, a gambling company promoted a new online slot game on social media using a cartoon of three frogs to entice players.

GambleAware is recommending new regulations to limit the exposure of young people to advertising. Research conducted by the charity revealed that children struggle to differentiate between actual gambling products and gambling-like content, such as mobile games with in-app purchases.

Zoe Osmond, CEO of GambleAware, emphasized the need for immediate action to protect children from being exposed to gambling ads and content, stating, “This research demonstrates that gambling content has become a part of many children’s lives.”

GambleAware chief executive Zoe Osmond said urgent action on internet promotions was needed to protect children. Photo: Doug Peters/Pennsylvania

The report also points out that excessive engagement in online games with gambling elements, like loot boxes bought with virtual or real money, can fall under a broader definition of gambling. It calls for stricter regulation on platforms offering such games to children.

Businesses are cautioned against using cartoon characters in gambling promotions, as they may appeal to children. However, there is no outright ban on using such characters. Online casino 32Red, for instance, recently advertised its Fat Frog online slot game on social media with a cartoon frog theme.

Dr. Raffaello Rossi, a marketing lecturer focused on the impact of gambling advertising on youth, criticized regulators for not acting swiftly enough to address the proliferation of online promotions enticing children. He called for new advertising codes to regulate social media promotions effectively.

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The Gambling and Gambling Council assured that their members strictly verify ages for all products and have implemented new age restriction rules for social media advertising.

Recent data from the Gambling Commission indicates that young people are now less exposed to gambling ads compared to previous years. While no direct link between problem gambling development and advertising has been established.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) stated that it regulates gambling advertising to safeguard children and monitors online gambling ads through various tools and methods.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport affirmed its focus on monitoring new forms of gambling and gambling-like products, including social casino games, to ensure appropriate regulations are in place.

Kindred Group, the owner of the 32Red brand, was reached out to for comment.

Source: www.theguardian.com