Molly Russell inquest hears defence of Instagram content policies

Executive at parent company Meta says guidelines changed in 2019 to ban all graphic suicide and self-harm content'

A senior executive at Instagram's parent company has defended the platform's policies on suicide and self-harm content, telling the inquest into Molly Russell's death that guidelines had always been drafted in consultation with experts.

Elizabeth Lagone, head of health and wellbeing policy at Meta, said the social media group worked extensively with experts" when writing guidelines, which allow users to discuss feelings related to suicide or self-harm.

In the UK, the youth suicide charity Papyrus can be contacted on 0800 068 4141 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org, and in the UK and Ireland Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is at 800-273-8255 or chat for support. You can also text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis text line counsellor. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org