‘BullyChat’: Mum of bullied teen Tilly Rosewarne calls for Snapchat ban

A mother who lost her teenage daughter to relentless bullying on Snapchat is demanding the digital platform be included in the Albanese government’s world-first social media ban.

Exclusive: A mother who lost her teenage daughter to relentless bullying on Snapchat is demanding the digital platform be included in the Albanese government’s world-first social media ban after concerns tech giants would lobby Labor for exemptions.

Emma Mason lost her daughter Matilda “Tilly” Rosewarne to horrific bullying by her school peers on Snapchat.

It included sharing inappropriate doctored images of the 15-year-old with her classmates.

Ms Mason is horrified by concerns that Snapchat could be exempt from the proposed social media ban for children under the age of 16 because it may be classified as a messaging app like WhatsApp or Signal.

Emma Mason, mother of Tilly Roseswarne. Picture: Richard Dobson

“It’s one of the leading platforms that is used for bullying, specifically by children to other children,” she said.

“At one point I used to refer to it as bully chat”.

On Thursday, Communication Minister Michelle Rowland told 2GB radio that the app’s inclusion would be dependent on the definition of social media in the legislation set to be introduced to parliament next week.

Ms Rowland assured parents the definition would be “broad and robust” to include online services that harm young people.

Ms Mason knows first hand the damaging impact of Snapchat after Tilly’s fake images spread like wildfire in just hours on the platform.

Tilly’s mum wants Snapchat banned.

Tilly took her life after years of bullying.

Snapchat operates as a messaging service but is frequently used by children to share videos and photos along with texts in large group chats including entire school cohorts — making its influence similar to platforms like Instagram.

In a submission to a parliamentary inquiry into social media harms, Ms Mason revealed how Tilly was “hysterical” and “sobbing” after the a headless nude image was shared by her peers on the platform.

When she went to police about the issue, an office told her “it’s really hard to stop this from happening” and they have to wait for months to get information from the American tech giant.

Ms Mason said that social media platforms were going to try and find exemptions from the ban but Snapchat should not be given any leeway.

Minister Rowland assured parents each platform will be assessed in a methodical way,

“There will be exempt platforms, I expect social media platforms will be trying to come up with a version that would fit into the category.

“There will be ways to communicate that are exempt but Snapchat should not be one of them.”

Ms Mason also moved to reassure parents who are feeling “panicked” about the ban.

“It can be isolating for people in rural communities, in marginalised communities but there are also other ways of communicating like phone calls and text messages.”

Snapchat said it will review the bill once its available.