A South America-based online forum, with over 50,000 global members, faces intense scrutiny following the tragic death of 17-year-old Vlad. Hosted by a server in the United States, this platform has become a beacon of concern after encouraging Vlad to take his own life. His heartbroken family now fervently advocates for the forum's closure, demanding action to prevent further tragedies.
Vlad's family discovered a "suicide kit" in his home, containing various poisons and pills he purchased after joining the forum. They blame the platform for leading their vulnerable son down a path of despair. The police continue to investigate Vlad's death to determine if any criminal offenses were committed.
"Then you have private chats and you are led down the path of death. Anyone can come across it. A child can come across it. There's no checks." – Vlad's mother, Anna
The disturbing rise in suicides in England and Wales, up 10% over the past six years according to the Office of National Statistics, highlights the urgent need for stricter regulations. The Online Safety Act aims to address this issue by mandating platforms remove illegal suicide and self-harm content. Starting July, Ofcom will have new responsibilities to protect children from such harmful content, even if it falls below the criminal threshold.
Vlad's father, Graham, shared the heart-wrenching moments after discovering their son.
"His hands were all clenched up and he was shaking." – Vlad's father, Graham
"It was just a state of panic." – Vlad's father, Graham
Graham described how Vlad must have staggered upstairs before collapsing on his bedroom floor. His mother, Anna, recalled the horror of witnessing her son suffer multiple seizures.
"It was violent, it was sudden," his mother adds, as she describes her son suffering multiple seizures. "Fitting and fighting for life – I can't even start imagining the terror he went through." – Vlad's mother, Anna
"I was just doing what I could to try and save my son's life," Graham says, with tears in his eyes. "It was just horrible." – Vlad's father, Graham
"I saw my son fighting for his last breath," says Anna Nikolin-Caisley. "He went in agony." – Vlad's mother, Anna
The family's anguish is compounded by the knowledge that Vlad ordered poison from a Ukrainian seller named Leonid Zakutenko shortly before the BBC exposed him. Reading through Vlad's posts on the forum, his family described how things "slowly escalated," transforming an echo chamber of despair into a catalyst for tragedy.
"He's researched and understood, and been told where to buy these things and what to buy," says DS Chris Barrow from Hampshire Police. "So, without the website, Vlad wouldn't have been able to put together this set of items and ingredients with which to take his own life." – DS Chris Barrow from Hampshire Police
Vlad's sisters, Masha and Mia, described the forum as an "echo chamber" that can "push people over the edge," echoing their parents’ calls for its removal or blockage.
The charity Samaritans has called for smaller sites to be treated as severely as larger platforms, but their pleas have been largely ignored. Julie Bentley, CEO of Samaritans, urges immediate action.
"They must take effective action to protect all users now." – Julie Bentley, CEO of Samaritans
"Legal-but-harmful content needs to be strictly regulated for both adults and children," she says, urging both the government and Ofcom to act "before it's too late". – Julie Bentley, CEO of Samaritans
A government spokesperson emphasized the severity of intentionally encouraging suicide or serious self-harm.
"Suicide devastates families. Intentionally encouraging suicide or the serious self-harm of another person is illegal." – Government spokesperson
They also underscored the forthcoming enforcement measures that will hold platforms accountable.
"As these duties come into force, we'll be able to use the full extent of our enforcement powers against any services that fail to comply with their duties," – Government spokesperson
