'Social media contributed to our son's murder'

The parents of a teenager who was murdered by another boy have said they believe social media played a role in his death and have welcomed the proposed ban for under-16s.

Joshua Hall was 17 when he was stabbed by a 15-year-old after meeting to "sort out their differences" in relation to alleged comments made about a girl – something his family said may not have happened without online contact.

"Without social media Josh may still be alive today," his father, Michael Hall, from Cam, near Dursley in Gloucestershire, said.

Michael and Kirsty Hall recently spoke of their anger that the killer had been posting on social media from prison.

Joshua's parents said they were increasingly concerned about the impact social media was having on young people.

"I truly believe social media will become the smoking of our time," Michael Hall said.

"We're losing a generation of kids."

Kirsty Hall said online platforms had made it easier for strangers and acquaintances to contact young people.

"Social media gives everyone access to your child," she said.

"Whether that's TikTok or someone on Snapchat who has an iPhone and wants to meet you in a park."

Joshua‘s parents believe social media can influence behaviour and escalate conflicts in the real world.

They have welcomed proposals to introduce restrictions on social media use for under‑16s.

Other families have raised similar concerns, including Cheltenham mother Ellen Roome, whose son Jools died in what she believes was an online challenge gone wrong.

Experts have said the relationship between social media and violence is complex, but concerns about its impact on young people are growing.

Hannah Swirsky, head of policy and public affairs at the Internet Watch Foundation, said: "The point to really highlight is that we need age appropriate experiences and a safer internet, no single piece of legislation is going to turn the tide.

"It’s clear that there are a number of harms associated with a lack of safeguards on platforms and I would say it’s really important that there are interventions at every stage of the harm pathway.

"It’s right that effort is being put into this, I think it’s a question of 'what are all the different things that need to happen'.”

Swirsky believes that one area that the new legislation fails to tackle is restrictions on messaging platforms.

"We see a lot of incidents of harm going on in end-to-end encrypted environments," she said.

Joshua's parents are now focusing their energy into remembering him through fundraising events.

His mum organises an annual event called Skate4Josh, bringing the community together while promoting education around knife crime.

She said the teenager loved his scooter and it is an opportunity for a family day out whilst also raising awareness around knife crime.

"It's turned into a massive event within the local community, but there's lots of educational pieces that go on there, coupled with really fun family events," she said.

Michael Hall raises funds for men's bereavement charity Strongmen and has completed a number of mountain climbing challenges over the years.

"It's been a place where I can put my grief, on the top of mountains I speak to Josh, that's where I find peace," he said.

"I feel close to him, I can feel him in the wind.

"Every time I get a little sunshine, I thank him for it, and every time I get a bit of rain I just blame him as well."

This September, to mark Joshua's birthday they are planning to carry the equivalent of his body weight to the top of three mountains - Snowdon, Cadair Idris and Pen Y Fan - in 24 hours .

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