2025-05-28T04:00:00Z

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Adele Zeynep Walton’s life took a devastating turn on a chilly October morning in 2022 when she woke up in her caravan in New Forest, where she was camping with her boyfriend. As she stepped outside, still groggy from sleep, she noticed her parents' car approaching, an unusual sight in the early hours. Initially irritated at the prospect of being dragged into an early family walk, her annoyance quickly transformed into a deep sense of foreboding as she observed her mother’s frantic demeanor. The moment Walton laid eyes on her mother, she instinctively feared the worst. “Straight away,” she recounts, “I was like, ‘It’s Aimee.’”

Aimee Walton, Adele’s younger sister, was just 21 years old and had been battling mental health issues for several months. Despite her struggles, she was a vibrant soul, deeply passionate about music technology and art. Her family's home in Southampton is adorned with her self-portraits, showcasing a young artist with a promising future. Aimee had even garnered attention from musician Pharrell Williams, who personally invited her on stage multiple times during his concerts to share a joyful dance. Unfortunately, as her mental health declined, she became more elusive, leaving her family in the dark about her whereabouts and well-being for two troubling months. “We didn’t know where she was, what she was doing,” Walton shared, reflecting on the anxiety that gripped the family during that time.

Tragically, Walton’s fears were realized when she learned that Aimee had been discovered dead in a hotel room in Slough, Berkshire. It was a devastating loss that appeared to be a suicide, prompting Walton and her family into a spiral of grief and confusion. In the days and weeks that followed, they would uncover the unsettling reality that Aimee's tragic decision was influenced by a complex network of online connections.

In her quest for understanding, Walton discovered that Aimee had been active on a pro-suicide forum, one that the Guardian has chosen not to reveal, which has been linked to at least 50 deaths across the UK. This troubling site is now under investigation by Ofcom, the UK's communications regulator, due to its potential role in the promotion of suicide. Investigations revealed that Aimee had learned from this forum how to obtain the substance that ultimately took her life. Additionally, she had met a man online who traveled from the United States to Heathrow to support her decision in her final hours. Although he faced initial charges of assisting suicide, no further action was ultimately taken against him.

Sitting in the serene garden of her parents’ Southampton home, Walton felt compelled to share her sister's story and raise awareness about the dangers lurking in the digital world. Her book, titled Logging Off: The Human Cost of Our Digital World, intertwines Aimee's tragic tale with a broader plea for awareness regarding the unregulated online spaces that can endanger vulnerable individuals. “I thought: I need to pour all my efforts into digging deeper into this. Why are the general public not aware of these constant harms that are happening?” she pondered, expressing frustration at the lack of awareness surrounding the issue.

Walton's advocacy was also fueled by the knowledge of others who have faced similar tragedies, such as Vlad Nikolin-Caisley, another young man from Southampton who reportedly used the same forum as Aimee before his death. Earlier this month, a woman was arrested under suspicions related to assisting in his suicide, further highlighting the urgent need for action.

As the pre-inquest review into Aimee’s death approached, Walton hoped that the online factors influencing Aimee’s tragic choice would be thoroughly examined. She expressed a desire for the inquest, set for September, to acknowledge “online harms” as a contributing factor to her sister's death. It was a term she had only recently become familiar with, thanks to Ian Russell, a campaigner for online safety whose daughter, Molly, took her life at 14 after being exposed to harmful online content. Russell’s experience underscored the growing recognition of the impact of digital platforms on mental health and well-being.

Walton's perspective on her sister's death has evolved over time. Initially labeling it as “suicide,” she now questions whether that term accurately reflects Aimee’s circumstances. “If suicide is a self-directed, injurious behavior, how far can a person be judged to be self-directed when acting under the influence of a purposeful online community?” she reflects. This contemplation leads her to believe that Aimee was groomed into making her tragic decision, raising critical questions about responsibility and accountability in the digital age.

As Walton delved deeper into the complexities of online interactions, she encountered disheartening information about the man who had been with Aimee during her final days. Reports indicated that he had spent a troubling 11 days with her in the hotel, where she left behind a collection of distressing notes, although he later told authorities that he was merely “working.” Despite having called for help after Aimee ingested the toxic substance, he allegedly refused to perform CPR when instructed by emergency responders. This painful reality compounded the family's grief.

Aimee had obtained the lethal substance from Kenneth Law, a Canadian linked to multiple deaths in the UK and currently under investigation by the National Crime Agency. The troubling online forum where Aimee spent her time was reportedly founded by individuals who operate multiple sites promoting harmful ideologies, including "incel" communities. In an effort to understand her sister's last interactions, Walton explored the forum herself, describing its content as deeply disturbing, filled with messages that encouraged self-harm and suicide.

Walton believes that the conversations happening within such forums represent a form of radicalization that can lead individuals down a path they may not have considered otherwise. She grapples with the unsettling thought that the man accompanying Aimee may have been indulging in a “sick fantasy” as he witnessed her tragic end. This experience has transformed Walton’s perception of technology, once neutral, into one she now sees as a magnifier of real-world dangers. In her book, she reflects on various victims of online harms, from those affected by social media to individuals involved in labor movements.

“For so long there was this facade of technology equals progress, technology equals innovation. That’s what I really want the book to challenge,” she states emphatically. Walton hopes that moments of awareness, such as when tech leaders were present at significant political events, may serve as a wake-up call regarding the influence and power held by giant tech companies.

Yet, Walton acknowledges the complexities in her relationship with technology, recognizing its duality in her life. Many cherished childhood memories involve digital interactions with Aimee, from childhood games to shared experiences on various platforms. As she navigates her grief while promoting her book, Walton admits to grappling with her screen time, realizing that her advocacy sometimes contravenes her efforts to reduce digital dependency. “I’m a hypocrite!” she confesses, underscoring the challenges of maintaining balance in a world designed to captivate attention.

Throughout her journey, Walton has worked tirelessly to advocate for change, which she believes not only honors her sister's memory but also serves to protect others who may be vulnerable. She frequently speaks to support groups and engages with policymakers, emphasizing the need for a broader understanding of online safety that goes beyond protecting children. “We can become vulnerable at any point in our lives,” she insists. “If we only look at children’s safety, we are going to see a generation get to 18 and not know how to lead safe and healthy digital lives.”

Walton’s heart-wrenching reflections reveal the depth of her love for Aimee and her desire to provide the support that her sister struggled to accept. As she candidly shares her emotional experiences, she acknowledges the weight of grief that often overwhelms her, expressing a longing for a carefree youth overshadowed by her current responsibilities. “Some days I cry because I wish I didn’t have to do this. I wish I was having my twenties and having a laugh,” she confesses.

Despite the challenges, Walton believes that raising awareness is crucial. She argues that only by confronting the ugly realities of online harms can society hope to foster change. “People in power will only act if they feel what this grief feels like,” she reflects, underscoring the urgent need for compassion and action in the digital landscape. “I would not wish that on anyone. But if Mark Zuckerberg, for example, lost a child to online harms, then he’d be like, ‘Oh my God, I need to wake up.’”

Walton's book, Logging Off: The Human Cost of Our Digital World, is set to be published by Trapeze on June 5, retailing for £20. To support the Guardian, readers can order a copy at guardianbookshop.com, although delivery charges may apply.

If you or someone you know is struggling, it’s important to reach out for help. In the UK and Ireland, you can contact Samaritans at freephone 116 123 or via email at jo@samaritans.org or jo@samaritans.ie. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is available at 988, or you can visit 988lifeline.org. In Australia, Lifeline can be reached at 13 11 14. Additional international helplines can be found at befrienders.org.