Instagram 'ghouls' are accused of making 'suicide porn' easily accessible to vulnerable children after pictures emerge of youngsters slashing their wrists on the site next to ads for High Street brands

Instagram was accused of cashing in on suicide last night after it emerged that it profits from gory posts that have been accused of promoting self-harm. The social network, which is owned by Facebook, takes money from major brands to run adverts against shocking ‘suicide porn’ images that depict people cutting themselves, the Daily Mail can reveal.

Promotions for Marks & Spencer, Dune, the Post Office and the British Heart Foundation all featured next to disturbing content that is easily accessible to children.

Such graphic posts were blamed on Tuesday for the suicide of 14-year-old Molly Russell.

Last night her father Ian condemned Instagram for running adverts alongside the distressing images. He said he had ‘no doubt’ that Instagram helped kill his daughter, adding: ‘The truth is that the internet is making money out of other people’s misery and it shouldn’t be.

‘I mean, that’s just dreadful, that’s immoral – and it’s not taking enough steps to prevent that, it’s not taking enough steps to safeguard young people’s lives.’

Instagram also faced criticism from the brands that have inadvertently been placing their adverts next to shocking images.


https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6625081/Instagram-accused-making-suicide-porn-easily-accessible-vulnerable-children.html