The devastated parents of a 16-year-old boy who took his own life after being blackmailed over an explicit image have launched a landmark legal case against social media giant Meta. Ros and Mark Dowey appeared on ITV's Good Morning Britain on Thursday, breaking down in tears as they recounted the 'devastating' loss of their son, Murray.
A Tragic Case of Online Blackmail
Murray Dowey, from Dunblane in Scotland, died in December 2023. The teenager had been tricked into sending a compromising photograph to criminals posing as a girl his own age on Instagram. The fraudsters then used the image to blackmail him. Presenter Kate Garraway explained that this is believed to be the first wrongful death lawsuit of its kind in the UK, with the family alleging Meta prioritises profit over user safety.
Correspondent Juliet Dunlop, reporting live from Dunblane, stated: 'Ros and Mark Dowey should be looking forward to spending Christmas with their son, but instead, they are taking on the world's biggest social media company Meta on his behalf.' The parents firmly believe the company could have prevented the tragedy.
'He Should Have Been Safest in His Room'
In a pre-recorded interview clip played during the segment, Murray's father, Mark, fought back tears as he described the invasion of their home. 'One of the reasons it's so devastating is it comes into your house, exactly where Murray should have been safest, in his room asleep,' he said. He pleaded for other young people in similar situations to 'switch the phone off, walk away from them, go and get help,' adding, 'I wish [he had] done that.'
Murray's mother, Ros, was resolute in her blame, directly criticising the platform's design. 'He would be here if the product had been fixed,' she asserted. 'I know what we're taking on. We're taking on one of the biggest global organisations. But bring it on.'
Meta's Response and a Plea to Victims
The programme shared a response from Meta, which stated: 'Sextortion is a horrific crime and it supports the prosecution of the criminals behind it.' The company insisted it has implemented a number of changes to better protect children on its platforms.
Ros Dowey issued a powerful message to anyone who might fall victim to similar crimes, urging them not to suffer in silence. 'Everything in life passes. There's nothing that is worth taking your own life for,' she said. 'Put that phone down and go and get somebody you trust and tell them it's happened, and don't be ashamed at what you've done. Thousands of children are sharing images. It's happened.'
The family's case highlights the growing scrutiny on online safety and the duty of care owed by technology firms to their youngest and most vulnerable users.
