How Did a Bereaved Mum's Fight for Law Change Earn Her an MBE?

Ellen Roome has been appointed an MBE for her campaign advocating for legal reforms that would grant parents access to their deceased children's social media accounts. This initiative, which aims to improve children's online safety, stems from her personal tragedy following the death of her son, Jools Sweeney, in April 2022. Roome's efforts have sparked parliamentary debates and are pushing for legislative changes to help bereaved families.

Last updated: 06 October 2023 (BST)

What’s happening now

Ellen Roome's recent appointment as an MBE highlights her relentless advocacy for access to children's digital accounts after their passing. Following the tragic loss of her son Jools, Roome has campaigned for changes that could allow bereaved parents to retrieve vital information from their children's social media accounts. In January 2023, her parliamentary petition prompted a debate on this pressing issue, and she is optimistic that proposed reforms could secure Royal Assent by March 2024.

Key takeaways

Ellen Roome received an MBE for her campaign on children's online safety.
Her son, Jools Sweeney, passed away in April 2022, which ignited her advocacy.
Roome aims to reform laws regarding parents' access to deceased children's social media.
Her petition led to a parliamentary debate, with hopes for legislative change by March 2024.
Roome advocates for digital checks in the post-mortem process to provide more clarity for families.

Timeline: how we got here

Here’s a brief timeline of key events leading to Ellen Roome's MBE appointment and her campaign efforts:

April 2022: Jools Sweeney is found unconscious, and later an inquest determines he took his own life.
January 2023: Roome's parliamentary petition leads to a significant debate on children's digital rights.
October 2023: Roome is awarded an MBE for her advocacy work, which continues to gain momentum.
March 2024 (anticipated): Roome hopes for the proposed reforms to receive Royal Assent.

What’s new vs what’s known

New today/this week

Ellen Roome's recognition with an MBE represents a significant milestone in her campaign for children's online safety. The potential for legislation that allows parents access to their deceased children's social media accounts is gaining traction, particularly following the parliamentary debate triggered by her advocacy.

What was already established

Prior to this week, Roome's efforts had already led to increased awareness of the issues surrounding digital legacy and online safety for children. However, access to social media accounts remained a grey area in UK law, with no clear provisions for bereaved parents to retrieve information that could provide closure or insight into their children's lives.

Impact for the UK

Consumers and households

For families coping with the loss of a child, the ability to access social media accounts could provide crucial information that aids in understanding the circumstances of their passing. This reform could offer emotional relief and closure to grieving parents, while also potentially preventing future tragedies by enhancing awareness of online dangers.

Businesses and jobs

Social media platforms may need to review their privacy policies and data access protocols if legislation is enacted. This could lead to changes in how companies handle user data post-mortem, potentially requiring additional compliance measures and training for staff on handling sensitive situations involving bereaved families.

Policy and regulation

Current policies on digital data access are often inadequate, leading to calls for reforms from advocacy groups, including Roome's. The anticipated parliamentary discussions will focus on balancing privacy concerns with the need for families to access crucial information during their grieving process. Future consultations will likely address how these laws can be formulated effectively.

Numbers that matter

1: The number of successful parliamentary debates triggered by Roome's petition.
14: The age of Jools Sweeney at the time of his death, highlighting the vulnerability of young users online.
30: Years of experience in local health and community service for Ellen Roome, demonstrating her commitment to advocacy.
£1,000: Estimated costs for families seeking legal advice on accessing digital accounts, which may change with new legislation.
9: Total number of individuals recognised in Gloucestershire alongside Roome at this year's honours.

Definitions and jargon buster

MBE: Member of the Order of the British Empire, an honour awarded for significant contributions to the community.
CBE: Commander of the Order of the British Empire, a higher honour recognising outstanding service.
Digital legacy: The collection of digital assets and accounts, such as social media profiles, that a person leaves behind after death.

How to think about the next steps

Near term (0–4 weeks)

In the immediate future, advocates and lawmakers will be engaging in discussions to refine the proposed reforms regarding digital account access for bereaved parents. This will likely involve consultations with various stakeholders, including social media companies.

Medium term (1–6 months)

Over the next few months, Roome's campaign could see further developments as the proposed legislation is debated in Parliament. Advocacy groups may ramp up efforts to ensure that potential regulations effectively serve the needs of families while balancing privacy concerns.

Signals to watch

Dates of parliamentary sessions discussing the proposed reforms.
Updates from advocacy groups regarding public sentiment and support for these changes.
Responses from social media companies regarding their policies on account access after death.

Practical guidance

Do

Stay informed on the developments regarding digital legacy laws.
Engage with advocacy groups to support the campaign for parental access to social media accounts.
Share personal stories to raise awareness about the importance of these reforms.

Don’t

Don’t disregard the emotional impact of losing a child and the importance of access to their digital legacy.
Don’t assume social media companies will change policies without public pressure and advocacy.

Checklist

Understand the current laws regarding digital accounts and access post-mortem.
Follow Ellen Roome’s campaign updates through social media or local news.
Consider joining or supporting local advocacy groups focusing on online safety.
Stay connected with trusted sources to receive updates on legislative changes.

Risks, caveats, and uncertainties

While Roome's campaign has gained traction, there are uncertainties regarding how social media companies will respond to potential legal changes. Privacy concerns may complicate efforts to reform access policies, as companies must balance user confidentiality with the needs of bereaved families. Additionally, the timeline for legislative changes remains uncertain, with various factors influencing the parliamentary process.

Bottom line

Ellen Roome's MBE appointment is a poignant recognition of her efforts to advocate for bereaved parents seeking access to their deceased children's social media accounts. As her campaign continues to gain momentum, the potential for legislative change offers hope for families navigating the complexities of grief and digital legacies.

FAQs

What is Ellen Roome's campaign about?

Ellen Roome's campaign focuses on advocating for bereaved parents' access to their deceased children's social media accounts, aiming to improve online safety and provide closure for families.

How did Jools Sweeney die?

Jools Sweeney passed away in April 2022, with an inquest determining he took his own life, although the circumstances leading up to his death remain unclear.

What recognition did Ellen Roome receive?

Ellen Roome was appointed an MBE for her significant contributions to children's online safety and her advocacy work following her son's tragic death.