A new judicial investigation will be opened to determine the role of social networks in the death of a 14-year-old teenagerwho died after allegedly carrying out a viral challenge on the platform TikTok known as «Blackout Challenge», which translates as «Fainting Challenge».
As detailed Mirror and the BBC, Julian “Jools” Sweeney He was found dead in his room in April 2022, but the investigation – carried out in September of that year – did not present evidence that would lead to a conclusion in the case.
To Ellen Roome —Jools’ mother—, social networks played a key role in maintaining that the minor participated in the «Fainting Challenge», a viral trend of TikTok consisting of self-asphyxiation.
«We hope this is a turning point, not only in uncovering the truth about Jools, but in making the online world safer for every child,» Roome told the media following the High Court’s decision to suspend the Gloucestershire chief coroner’s ruling.
The resource that allowed a new investigation
The measure was possible after an appeal for protection filed by Jools’ mother. «Hopefully it shows that, going forward, social media companies need to step up and protect kids online,» Roome said.
In this way, Roome will resort to Online Security Law of 2023, which was not in force when the investigation into Jools’ death was carried out, and the Data Use Law of 2025.
Both regulations will allow the Office of Communications (Ofcom) — the independent regulator and competition authority for the UK’s communications sectors — ask social media platforms for Jools’ history, including any material the minor has viewed or posted.
«I can’t live the rest of my life without trying to find answers about why my son is not here,» said Roome, who since his son’s death has been pushing for the approval of the «Jools’ Law»a rule that seeks to force social media companies to preserve the digital data of a minor within five days after their death.
As reported by the BBCneither the coroner’s office nor the social network TikTok opposed reopening the investigation into Jools’ death. During the Court hearing, Roome’s lawyers presented evidence indicating that a «number of lines of inquiry» were not followed in the original investigation, which «directly affects the TikTok platform and the data it holds.»
Lord Justice Warby, meeting with Judge Heather Williams, annulled the conclusion of the original investigation and ordered a new one to be held at a later date, the British media reported.
The case that could change future research
Roome considered that the reopening of the investigation will serve as a useful precedent for those parents who believe that social networks played a key role in the death of their children, such as the case of Mariano Janin from London, who believes that his daughter Tight took his own life in 2021 due to cyberbullying.
«If Jools’ legacy helps protect even one child or gives one family the answers they deserve, then he will have changed the world,» he said.
Janin, who accompanied Roome in court, told the BBC that, if Jools’ case is successful, then he would consider requesting that Mía’s death be fully investigated. «What Ellen is doing is very important. It would make access to information a little easier,» he said.
«Our main goal is that, one day, social networks take full responsibility and be held accountable. Because? Because they are the only ones that have the technology and resources necessary to change this business model in order to protect young people,» Janin noted.
