New Scientist recommends documentary Molly vs The Machines
A photo from Molly vs. The Machines
Channel 4
In 2017, Molly Russell was found dead in her bedroom in Harrow, London. The devastating film Molly against the machines follows her father’s (pictured) journey to discover what happened and the inquest’s ruling that social media contributed to Molly’s suicide by bombarding her with content relating to self-harm.
The film traces his life alongside the rise of social media. Whistleblowers reveal that these companies were aware of the risks, but were unwilling to put safeguards in place.
We have normalized Big Tech’s access to our inner emotions, even at home. This critique is most powerful when Molly’s friends look back and ask: How can we reclaim our rooms as private places?
Thomas Lewton
Features Editor, London
Need a listening ear? Samaritans UK: 116123 (samaritans.org); America’s Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: 988 (988lifeline.org). Visit bit.ly/SuicideHelplines for services in other countries
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