英國通訊管理局首次對 BBC 曝光的自殺網站展開調查

The UK’s online safety regulator, Ofcom, has launched its first investigation into a pro-suicide forum, marking a significant step in the enforcement of the Online Safety Act. This forum, which has been under scrutiny by BBC News for three years, is believed to have tens of thousands of members, including minors, who share dangerous information about methods of suicide and how to acquire toxic substances. Tragically, one of the individuals affected by this forum was Joe Nihill, who took his own life after learning about a harmful chemical through discussions on the site. Ofcom recently gained the authority to take action against websites that host illegal content, and this investigation could potentially result in fines or court orders against the operators of the forum. Families who have lost loved ones due to the influence of this site have expressed their support for Ofcom's actions but are urging for swift measures to be implemented. Another young victim, Vlad Nikolin-Caisley, was reportedly encouraged by forum members to end his life. His parents have gathered evidence showing that he purchased a poisonous chemical and followed instructions from the forum. They are calling for Ofcom to ban the site to prevent further tragedies. Anna, Vlad's mother, stated, 'At what point do we say enough is enough, because those young people did not deserve to die. ' Her husband, Graham, echoed her sentiments, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. The Online Safety Act, which became law in October 2023, has allowed Ofcom to develop guidelines and codes of practice for online platforms over the past 18 months. As of March 17, Ofcom has the power to take action against sites that assist in suicide or host illegal content. Websites are now required to demonstrate that they have systems in place to remove such material. Failure to comply could result in court orders to block access to the platforms or fines reaching up to £18 million. However, Ofcom faces challenges in this investigation, particularly because the forum is run by anonymous individuals and is hosted in the United States. BBC News has reported that more than 50 suicides in the UK have been linked to this forum. In October 2023, the BBC confronted Lamarcus Small, the man believed to have established the site in 2018. Additionally, the BBC infiltrated the forum using a false identity to compile a list of deceased members and expose sections where users could find partners for suicide. Catherine Adenekan and her daughter-in-law Melanie Saville have been advocating for the closure of this forum since Catherine's son, Joe, took his life in April 2020. Joe was a member of the forum for less than a week, during which he learned how to obtain and use a toxic chemical. He left a note for his mother, urging her to do everything possible to shut down the website. Together, they have documented the number of deaths associated with the forum and identified individuals selling the harmful chemical. They have been lobbying government officials, their local MP, and engaging with the media to raise awareness about the dangers of the forum. Melanie expressed her frustration, stating, 'Every day there are new people signing up to the website. There are people dying, ordering poisons online. ' She criticized Ofcom for their slow response, saying, 'They've known long enough about this site and what's going on. They need to take action now. ' Since 2019, at least six coroners have reached out to government departments, urging them to take action against the forum. Various police forces and the National Crime Agency are also aware of the forum and have investigated deaths linked to it. Vlad's parents, Anna and Graham, believe that the inaction of authorities contributed to their son's death. Graham lamented, 'If they'd taken action before, our son would be upstairs on his computer. But we're here now, and he's not. ' If you or someone you know is affected by these issues, support and information are available.