A Legal First Under the Online Safety Act

In a landmark ruling yesterday at Manchester Crown Court, Karl Davies has become the first person in the UK to be jailed for encouraging a child to self-harm under the Online Safety Act 2023. This case marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of online safety legislation and its enforcement.

Davies was sentenced to 20 years in prison after orchestrating a sophisticated campaign of abuse against a 13-year-old girl. Using platforms such as Discord and Snapchat, he created multiple fake personas, some using stolen identities, to manipulate, threaten and ultimately coerce the child into sending explicit content and engaging in acts of self-harm. The deception was so elaborate that investigators initially believed the girl was being targeted by six different men.

The case is particularly significant as it is the first conviction relating to a child under Section 184 of the Online Safety Act, which criminalises the encouragement or assistance of serious self-harm through electronic communications. This provision was introduced following growing concerns about the impact of online abuse and harmful content, especially on vulnerable individuals.

Section 184 Offence of encouraging or assisting serious self-harm

Section 184 creates an offence if a person does a relevant act capable of encouraging or assisting the serious self-harm of another person, and they intended to encourage or assist the serious self-harm of another person.

Self-harm is harm which amounts to grievous bodily harm.

A relevant act includes if a person:

• Communicates in person
• Sends, transmits or publishes a communication by electronic means
• Shows a person such a communication
• Publishes material by any means other than electronic means
• Sends, gives, shows or makes available to a person

If a person is convicted of this offence, the penalty ranges from a fine to a term of imprisonment not exceeding 5 years.

Legal Implications

The Davies case sets a precedent for how courts may interpret and apply the Online Safety Act in future prosecutions.

The Act allows for prosecution even if the perpetrator does not know the victim personally, and even if the self-harm does not result in grievous bodily harm. The use of multiple online identities to manipulate victims is now firmly recognised as a form of psychological abuse with serious legal consequences.

A 20-year custodial sentence reflects the gravity with which the courts now treat online abuse involving children and self-harm.

Broader Context

This case follows other recent prosecutions under the same legislation, including that of Tyler Webb, who was convicted for encouraging a vulnerable woman to self-harm and attempt suicide via Telegram.

Tyler Webb, from Loughborough, was the first person in the country to be charged with an offence under Section 184 of the Online Safety Act 2023. He was sentenced at Leicester Crown Court in July 2025 after pleading guilty in May to one count of encouraging suicide and one count of encouraging or assisting someone to seriously self-harm.

These cases underscore the growing role of criminal law in regulating harmful online behaviour and protecting vulnerable individuals.

Olliers Solicitors – specialist criminal defence lawyers

At Olliers Solicitors, we continue to monitor developments in online safety legislation and its enforcement. If you or someone you know is under investigation in relation to online abuse or self-harm, our team is here to provide expert legal guidance and support.