An 11-year-old girl who took her own life after what her family described as a bullying campaign had accessed sexual and suicide-related content on Discord, an inquest has heard.
Mia Christopher died on 20 July 2025, shortly after breaking up for the summer holidays. Her parents said they found a note which read: “Mom I’m being bullied please leave a angel beside my gravestone.”
The inquest in Horsham, West Sussex, was told Mia had accessed Discord despite the platform’s over-13s policy. She had also used TikTok and Snapchat, and had posted inappropriate material on TikTok.
Georgina Colegate-Stone, representing Mia’s father, Hardev Sirah, said the schoolgirl had been exposed to “sexual” and “suicide content” on Discord. She also said Mia had repeatedly commented on the platform about her intention to take her own life.
Discord allows users to exchange messages and videos, as well as access servers, chat rooms and voice channels. The platform describes itself as a safer social media environment for children than other services and says it blocks adult-themed content.
Mr Sirah watched the hearing remotely by video link. Coroner Penelope Schofield said Discord could be named as an interested party, with a representative potentially called to give evidence later in the inquest.
Representatives from Mia’s school and Sussex Police are also expected to give evidence, along with experts from West Sussex County Council’s social services.
Mia Christopher’s family pay tribute
Mia was a pupil at Southway Primary School in Bognor Regis and had been looking forward to starting high school, her mother said in a tribute posted online after her death.
She described her daughter as “a talented, smart, funny girl with a smile that could never be missed” and said: “She was bubbly and stylish and was looking forward to high school, yet she did not get the chance to experience that.”
Mia’s sister Iesha said the family were “heartbroken” and that her sister had taken her own life at the age of 11 “due to bullying”. She described Mia as a bright and bubbly student and a “kind and joyful soul”.
She added: “In Mia’s memory we urge everyone to take a stand against bullying and to prioritise childhood mental health. Every child deserves to feel safe valued and loved.”
The inquest is continuing.
