Cheltenham mum and online safety campaigner, Ellen Roome, is teaming up with other bereaved parents to launch a new, free online safety resource called Click or Quit?.
Ellen has been at the centre of a high-profile campaign to change the law on social media, demanding that parents be granted access to their childrens' social media accounts without needing a court order.
The move was motivated by the untimely death of her 14-year-old son Jools Sweeney. With no indication of mental health struggles or issues, Jools' family were left without answers after he took his own life and were unable to get access to his social media accounts, to determine whether what he was consuming online contributed to his death.
She started a petition to change the law, which gathered over 126,000 signatures and support from celebrities including Frank Bruno and was debated in parliament in January 2025.
Now Ellen, along with fellow bereaved parents Hollie Dance and Lisa Keneven, has teamed up with award-winning personal development resource provider 1decision to launch a free resource to teach children about the 'real dangers of online risks and challenges'.
With the summer holidays looming and children likely to be spending more time online, the Click or Quit? resource aims to empower children with the knowledge and confidence to understand the risks of these challenges and make safer choices – with one of the resources available being a ready-to-use school assembly for nine to 12-year-olds, or older pupils with additional needs.
CEO of 1decision, Hayley Sherwood, said: 'We cannot wait any longer for the government to act. Too many young lives have already been lost... We hope Click or Quit? will help prevent more families from facing what these parents have endured.
'For schools, this assembly covers a range of important topics, including the benefits and risks of communicating online, understanding age restrictions, what to consider before taking part in an online challenge and how to create a positive online experience. It also includes a powerful video featuring Ellen’s story.
'Whilst this assembly has been specifically designed for schools, we have created a parent/carer version which can be used at home.'
Ellen added: 'There are lots of things online that children either see that they shouldn't see, or things that they might find frightening, or online challenges. The Click or Quit? assembly can help educate children about online safety.
'I want children to learn that some things they see online are harmful or dangerous, what to do about it and how to ideally stop them seeing it in the long run – but initially if they do come across something to talk to somebody and do something about it. We need to educate children more on what they are seeing online, making sure it is safe and that they talk about if it is not.'
Parents and schools can access Click or Quit? resources for free via the 1decision website.
If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, please contact Samaritans for help and advice on 116 123 or jo@samaritans.org.
