Tuesday’s episode of BBC Breakfast turned deeply emotional as presenters Sally Nugent and Jon Kay addressed the ongoing struggles faced by parents seeking answers after the loss of a child. The segment, aired on September 30, 2025, at 6am on BBC One, focused on the new data preservation notices introduced under the UK’s Online Safety Act—a legislative step that, while significant, many grieving families say does not go far enough.
The morning’s broadcast paid tribute to Jools Roome, a young boy who died three and a half years prior to the broadcast. His mother, Ellen, joined the presenters in the studio, her voice trembling with both grief and determination. As Jon Kay introduced the segment, he explained, “Now, from today, social media sites and tech companies will have to preserve data relating to the online activity of a child who has died if requested to do so by a coroner.”
Sally Nugent elaborated on the change, noting, “Yes, it’s the latest part of the Online Safety Act to be rolled out, but some parents who’ve lost their children say the measures simply don’t go far enough.” The law, which mandates that tech giants and social media platforms hold onto digital records when asked by a coroner, is intended to help families and investigators piece together the circumstances surrounding a child’s death. But as Ellen shared, the reality remains complicated and fraught with obstacles.
After showing touching footage of Jools before his passing, the presenters welcomed Ellen, who spoke candidly about the bureaucratic and emotional hurdles she and other bereaved parents continue to face. “So as of today, there’s something called data preservation notices, which gives the coroner the right to preserve the data. So they’d have to go to Ofcom to preserve online social media data,” Ellen explained, referencing the UK communications regulator now tasked with overseeing these requests. She continued, “I spoke to two new bereaved parents last night who are in this position. The police are... what happens when an inquest happens is that the inquest is opened and usually suspended and handed back to the police for investigation.”
But therein lies a major problem. Ellen described a legal and procedural tangle that leaves grieving families in limbo: “The problem is the police are then saying, ‘well, we don’t have the power to do that’, then the coroner is not in control, so they can’t use that law. So it seems ridiculous, unless it’s automatic, then the coroners can’t use that law, and then we’re waiting months or potentially years.” According to BBC Breakfast and the Express, this gap in authority and clarity means that, for many, the new law is little more than a promise on paper.
Ellen’s frustration was palpable as she highlighted another critical issue: the lack of training for police officers and coroners in handling digital evidence. “The thing that bothers me is that there’s not enough training for police and coroners as well, so the coroner needs to understand what information to ask for. Do all coroners know how TikTok works, or other apps that kids are using, or what information to ask from Snapchat, and so Ofcom needs to help the coroner understand what information to request.” Her words, quoted directly from the broadcast, underscore the technological gap between the platforms children use and the officials tasked with investigating their deaths.
The challenge is not just one of legal authority but also of digital literacy. In today’s world, where much of a young person’s life is lived online, critical evidence or clues may be hidden in messages, posts, or digital footprints on platforms that are unfamiliar to many adults. Without proper guidance and training, coroners and police may not know what to request or even what to look for, leaving families like Ellen’s without the answers they so desperately seek.
Ellen revealed that she is “planning to go to the High Court” in an effort to “piece together what information was missing” concerning Jools’ death. This next step in her fight for justice is both a personal mission and a call for broader systemic change. The legal route, she hopes, will not only help her family but also set a precedent for other parents facing similar heartbreak and confusion.
As the interview progressed, Ellen’s grief became even more evident. “I think I’m three and a half years down the line. I could get emotional now, but I don’t know why my child’s not here, and I want to try for answers,” she said, her voice cracking. “And I think as a parent, I should have the right to try to look at social media, and I get we may be too late now, and this law will help other parents, which is great, but I want to try to understand what happened to my son.” These words, shared with millions of viewers, resonated across the country, sparking conversations about the adequacy of current laws and the responsibilities of both tech companies and authorities.
The new data preservation notices are a step forward, but as Ellen and other bereaved parents have made clear, the system is still riddled with gaps. The law requires coroners to apply to Ofcom, which then instructs social media companies to preserve relevant data. However, if the police claim they lack the necessary powers, and if coroners are not sufficiently trained or informed about the intricacies of modern digital platforms, families can be left waiting for months or even years—sometimes with no resolution at all.
Throughout the segment, Sally Nugent and Jon Kay maintained a tone of compassion and empathy, visibly moved by Ellen’s testimony. The presenters acknowledged the importance of the new law but echoed Ellen’s concern that for some families, it may come too late. As Sally put it, the intention behind the Online Safety Act is “great,” but the reality on the ground is far more complicated.
Tech companies, for their part, have largely expressed willingness to comply with the new requirements but have also highlighted the complexity of balancing privacy rights with investigative needs. Ofcom, now at the center of these requests, faces the challenge of educating coroners, standardizing procedures, and ensuring that no family is left without answers due to bureaucratic confusion or technical ignorance.
The case of Jools Roome and his mother Ellen’s ongoing fight has brought national attention to these issues. While the changes brought by the Online Safety Act represent progress, the calls for further reform are growing louder. Parents, legal experts, and advocates are urging the government to ensure that laws are not just written, but are also workable, enforceable, and accessible to those in need.
As the segment closed, the sense of urgency lingered. For Ellen and countless other families, the search for answers continues—not just for their own peace of mind, but to ensure that future tragedies are met with clarity, compassion, and meaningful action.
