A graphic video showing a stabbing incident, believed to have influenced the Southport attacker, was taken down by TikTok following strong objections from victims. The footage of Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel being attacked in Sydney, Australia, reportedly played a role in fueling Axel Rudakubana, 19, prior to his violent outburst that tragically resulted in the deaths of three young girls.
After Rudakubana was sentenced in January last year, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper urged social media platforms to remove violent videos. A recent report, concluding that the triple-killing in 2024 could have been prevented, stated that TikTok had committed to removing the disturbing video.
However, despite assurances from TikTok and Meta that the video had been deleted, our investigation revealed that it was still accessible on an account with a large following. Following contact from the Mirror, TikTok eventually removed the video for violating guidelines.
Chris Walker, Director of Serious Injury at Bond Turner, representing the families of the victims, expressed concern over the availability of such distressing content on TikTok. He emphasized the negative impact such material has on society, calling for social media companies to prioritize public safety by promptly removing such content.
Additionally, Nicola Ryan-Donnelly, a Serious Injury Solicitor at Fletchers Solicitors, representing several survivors, criticized social media companies for prioritizing profits over user safety. She stressed the need for stricter regulations on apps sharing harmful content, particularly given their widespread use by children.
Lucy Martindale, the head of Operation Shutdown focusing on social media’s role in knife crime, condemned platforms for profiting from violent content and urged swift action. Retired Met Police detective Peter Bleksley criticized TikTok’s lack of action in addressing content that can incite violent acts.
Rudakubana’s search for the video shortly before his attack, combined with his possession of extremist materials, further highlights the concerning influence of online content on real-world violence. The Prime Minister’s recent admonishment of tech companies for their harmful impact on children underscores the urgent need for stricter regulations and accountability in the online space.