Featured Image Credit: Family Handouts
Callum Jones
The mother of the late Archie Battersbee believes at least 82 deaths have been linked to the 'blackout game' that tragically killed her son.
In her first interview since Archie's death, Hollie Dance says social media companies need to tackle the deadly challenge.
Speaking to the Mail, Hollie said: "The social media companies don’t do enough to stop harmful content online."
"It’s out there and people are grooming our children to do these challenges, it’s disgusting. The people – they’re often adults, not children – who are demonstrating these challenges are sick."
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Hollie says she has recently found footage of a man in his 30s attempting to do a similar challenge, where he put something around his neck and pulls tight.
“This is a grown man demonstrating this ‘trick’ to children. Those people need to be held accountable. The police and the Government need to work together to stop this," she said.
Calls have been made for the government to act quicker on these online challenges so cases such as Archie's do not happen again.
Lib Dem spokesperson has Jamie Stone criticised delays to the Online Safety Bill.
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"It’s more than four years since Conservative ministers promised new laws to tackle online harms, but we’re still waiting. We need clear, tough laws."
However, speaking to the Mail, a spokesperson for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport spokeswoman said:
“The Online Safety Bill will force tech firms to protect children from dangerous viral stunts. Failing firms will face huge fines or have their sites blocked.”
Archie who was 12 years old when he passed away earlier earlier this month was in a coma for more than four months after he was found with a ligature around his neck.
In May, a high court judge ruled that a brain stem test would be in Archie’s best interests, giving the family some hope.
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Later than month, doctors confirmed the simulation test on Archie did not work.
June brought devastating news for the family, with a high court judge ruling Archie was dead and doctors could legally stop treatment.
Archie's parents went through a number of courts to try and overturn the high court's original decision, however, that proved unsuccessful.
Hollie is now determined no other parents have to go through the ordeal she went through.
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In her final comments to the mail, she said: “That’s the legacy I want for Archie. I want to protect kids and the loved ones left behind. It’s unbearable.”