Heartbroken mum takes on social media giant after Tyldesley son 15 took own life

THE heartbroken mum of a 15-year-old boy is campaigning for tougher rules for a social media giant - after he received ‘bullying’ Snapchat messages before his death.

An inquest at Bolton Coroners Court heard Year 10 pupil Jack Parker was found hanged in Colliers Wood, near Astley Street, Tyldesley on July 28 last year.

Jack’s mum Karen Robinson was out with her partner Andrew for their anniversary on the day of his death, when she received a phone call from her son’s ex-girlfriend, who was concerned about him.

The pair had asked Jack if he wanted to accompany them, and he declined, the hearing was told.

“Before I left, I told him I loved him and he told me he loved me - and that’s the last conversation we had,” said Karen.

She returned home and called police. Officers traced Jack’s phone to a wooded area where his body was later found, shortly before 9pm.

Karen, a teaching assistant, told the court Jack struggled with not being able to go out and see his friends and his girlfriend during lockdown - and an increasingly heavy workload at school was getting him down.

He was very upset when the relationship with his “first love” ended in early summer, and he struggled to get his head around it, the court heard.

He had also asked his friends where he could get anti-depressants.

Karen added: “He used to say, some things I can tell you, mum, but somethings I can’t’.”

Donna Waring, head of Jack’s year at school, said he had confided in her about having difficulty coming to terms with lockdown and the break-up, and that his year group seemed to be particularly struggling with the impacts of lockdown on education and socialising.

Det Insp Tanya Kitchen said Jack had taken a bag containing a Game of Thrones book, and had switched his Iphone off prior to his death.

But she confirmed there was no evidence of third-party involvement found at the scene.

The court heard from his mother that Jack had received Snapchat messages of a bullying nature before his death, including ones telling him to “watch his back” and he was “going to get jumped”.

But it is unknown who sent the messages or the impact that they had on Jack.

The court heard Jack, shy by nature, had aspirations of joining the Army or RAF, and had a real talent and passion for drama. His mum was surprised when he chose to study drama for GCSE at Fred Longworth High.

Speaking after the inquest, Karen said: “I wish he had reached out to someone. He was a beautiful soul. He would help anyone, but he just couldn’t get help himself.

“I hope that whoever sent those messages to him will not do it to anyone else.”

Now she has launched a petition, urging Snapchat to reconsider raising the age when you are allowed to get an account - from 13 to 18.

Earlier senior coroner Timothy Brennand, who recorded a conclusion of suicide, said: “It was clear Jack had a number of worries and heartache. There is evidence he was possibly suffering from some levels of anxiety and low mood, and possibly depression.

“What troubles me the most is there was no note or final letter of intent left for friends and family. He was clearly in a very dark place, and he made expressions of wanting to self-harm to his ex-girlfriend.

“We all have responsibilities as members of the community to remember when we are sending messages online, these words can have a huge effect on people.

“Jack was a young man with everything to live for. But he must have thought that taking his own life was the only way out. I am satisfied that, on the balance of probabilities, that Jack intended to take his own life.”

He gave his condolences to the family, and promised to write to Snapchat detailing the evidence heard during the inquest.

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