Gina Gardiner & Friends with Ellen Roome on Turning Pain Into Purpose

Ellen Roome MBE I am a mother on a mission to find answers for my son, Jools, and to make sure no other family is left searching for the truth after losing a child. Jools was my only child. He died in April 2022. In the days that followed, I discovered something that shocked me. The systems we rely on to investigate a child’s death are not equipped for a digital world. Social media companies hold critical information about what children see, share and are exposed to online. Yet in practice, that data can be lost within hours or days, often before families or coroners even know what to ask for. I was left without answers. That is why I founded Jools’ Law. Turning Pain into Purpose What began as a personal search for answers became an international campaign for change. Jools’ Law called for the automatic preservation of a child’s digital data after death, so that vital evidence is not lost and the truth can be properly understood. That change has now been achieved. It will not change what happened to Jools. But it will change what happens next for other families. The Next Fight My work does not stop here. I am now campaigning to raise the age of social media to 16, to better protect children from harmful content online. At the same time, I continue my personal fight for answers about what happened to Jools. I am currently awaiting an update from the police, as well as a High Court hearing date for my application for a new inquest, where Jools’ digital activity can finally be properly examined. Why This Still Matters Content is pushed to children by algorithms, not searched for. Evidence can disappear before anyone knows it exists. Without proper protections and accountability, children remain at risk and families can still be left without answers. From One Voice to a National Movement Jools’ Law began with a petition. With just nine days remaining before a general election, I needed 100,000 signatures for Parliament to debate it. With the help of people who shared Jools’ story, it reached 126,033 signatures. It was debated in Parliament and became part of real legislative change. This has always been more than just my fight. It is for every family who deserves answers. Recognition On 30 December 2025, I was awarded an MBE in the King’s New Year Honours List for services to children’s online safety. This recognition belongs to every family who has stood alongside this campaign. Why I Continue No parent should have to fight this hard for answers. No child’s death should go unexplained because evidence was lost. Jools’ Law was the first step. Now we must go further to protect children before harm happens, not after. Website: https://www.joolslaw.co.uk