Mom who lost daughter to online bullying urges UN General Assembly to back laws banning kids from social media

At the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Emma Mason, a 52-year-old mother from Sydney, urged world leaders to back laws banning minors from using social media. She described her daughter, Tilly Rosewarne, who died by suicide in February 2022 after online bullying and a doctored image circulated on Snapchat and other platforms. Mason cited Australia’s law passed last year that requires social media users to be at least 16 years old as a model for international action. 'Tilly died from a thousand cuts that occurred over the course of her short life,' she said, tears evident as she spoke.

Details about Tilly's torment were described: a classmate circulated a doctored photo online; others launched a campaign on Facebook urging her to take her own life. By late 2021 Tilly was in tears over a fake Facebook account that sent the message, 'keep tryna to kill yourself hopefully it will work one day.' Mason said police later confirmed her phone history was filled with Snapchat, Instagram and TikTok videos and images related to suicide and mental illness. She noted that the online abuse coincided with algorithms that amplified distressing content. A coverage by 60 Minutes/Channel 9 highlighted the case as part of a broader push for policy changes to curb youth access and protect children online. Mason described the cascading effects of bullying and urged global action, arguing that steps taken in Australia could serve as a blueprint for other nations.

Mason argued that research shows social media is linked to poorer mental health, concentration problems, reduced social skills and negative body image among children. She told world leaders that, in her view, social media companies bear responsibility for safeguarding young users and must be more transparent about how content is curated and amplified. 'In the same way car manufacturers are responsible for protecting those who drive their vehicles, social media giants must take responsibility for protecting our children,' she said.

Across the globe, children are suffering. They’re dying as a direct result of their social media engagement, and as parents we need help,' Mason added, drawing a direct line from online harassment to real-world harm. The speech came as Australia’s prime minister and other leaders pressed for universal minimum ages and stricter enforcement of age verification on platforms that host youth content, a stance supported by the Australian public and some European governments.

Anthony Albanese, Australia’s prime minister, urged other world leaders to adopt laws that compel social media companies to set age limits and implement safeguards to keep under-16s from creating accounts. Albanese’s appearance alongside Mason underscored a rare moment of cross-border commitment on a digital-age public health issue amid a General Assembly agenda that also covers climate change, conflicts abroad and global health.

Australia’s own framework, passed last year, requires social media platforms to take 'reasonable steps' to prevent children under 16 from creating accounts. Proponents say this model could be a starting point for broader international norms, though observers noted that progress in the United States may be slow due to domestic political competition and economic considerations. Mason said she believes some European countries will move quickly to replicate similar restrictions, while cautioning that the United States has not kept pace with other democracies in addressing social media safety for minors.

The UN gathering this week spans issues from climate change to global security, and Mason’s testimony added a personal, human dimension to the mounting data about how online environments shape youth well-being. Her remarks were met with a standing ovation from some delegates in attendance, and she later told The Post that she hoped international momentum would translate into concrete laws or regulations that limit youth exposure to harmful content and provide redress for families affected by online abuse.

While the long-term policy trajectory remains contested in many capitals, Mason’s case has already influenced public discourse in several countries. Advocates point to the Australian experience as a proof of concept for higher age thresholds and more aggressive enforcement. Critics, meanwhile, question the feasibility of universal enforcement across platforms that operate globally and across borders with varying legal regimes.

For families facing similar pressures, authorities emphasize seeking help early. If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or mental health crises, you can call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org for free and confidential crisis counseling. The personal toll evident in Mason’s testimony underscores the urgency of safeguarding young people online while balancing freedom of expression and innovation in the digital economy.

As the General Assembly continues its work, Mason’s appeal stands as a stark reminder of the human costs behind online cruelty and the potential for policy to shield vulnerable youth from pervasive harm.