Online suicide forum 'blocks' UK users amid probe

Vlad Nikolin-Caisley was encouraged to end his life by members of the forum before he died

A controversial pro-suicide forum under Ofcom investigation has "voluntarily" restricted access for UK users after citing legal risks posed by the Online Safety Act – the first major test of the regulator's new powers.

The website has been linked to more than 50 UK deaths, including that of Vladimir Nikolin-Caisley, 17, from Hampshire.

Despite announcing the "block", the site's US administrators are instead advising UK users to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) to bypass the restriction

Vlad's mum, Anna Nikolin-Caisley, said the family's initial relief at the block was short-lived as they grew worried the site's advice risked "undermining the very protections the legislation aims to provide".

Users of the global forum, which Ofcom and the BBC are not naming, openly discuss methods of suicide, sharing instructions about how to buy and use a potentially deadly poison.

Vlad's parents have evidence that he was "encouraged" to take his own life by members on the site and swallowed the poison in May 2024.

Vlad's older sisters, Mia and Masha, with parents Anna and Graham, at his graveside in Southampton

His mum Anna said: "Nothing will ever bring our precious Vlad back, and the depth of our pain is beyond anything words can truly express.

"But there is a small measure of comfort in knowing that the pressure from so many voices has made the forum take notice - that at least some action has been taken in response to UK laws.

"We must keep working together to close the loopholes, demand accountability, and fight for the justice that every vulnerable person deserves."

The family's MP, Darren Paffey, who represents Southampton Itchen, has previously raised the issue in parliament, after the death of another of his constituents.

The labour MP said: "It's only too clear to my constituents the devastating consequences of this kind of content, so of course I welcome anything that reduces the risk that it will be seen by young or vulnerable people.

"I've been calling on ministers to take urgent action to enforce the law and close the loopholes that make it possible for people to access this kind of harmful content.

"Experience teaches us that we can't rely on bad actors to self-police this content, so ultimately it's up to policymakers and online service providers to ensure our online spaces are as safe as possible."

The site, which has tens of thousands of members, including children, has restricted access to UK users before, in 2023, but then reversed its decision days later.

In March, Ofcom gained powers to take action against sites hosting illegal material and its investigation into the forum is its first under the Online Safety Act.

It could lead to fines or court orders against those running the forum.

Ofcom will not provide details on a live investigation but said it remained "ongoing".

Guidance published by the regulator in April makes reference to sites that choose to restrict UK users' access.

It states: "If a service restricts UK users' access, that action would need to be effective in order for the service to fall out of scope of the Act".

Ofcom would then assess whether a service has links to the UK on a case-by-case basis.

The guidance adds: "This will depend on the specific circumstances (including whether it is still targeting UK users, for example, by promoting ways of evading access restrictions)".

If you have been affected by any of the issues in this story you can find information and support on the BBC Actionline website here.