Online Safety Children 2025-06-25
2025-06-25
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The National Crime Agency and other law enforcement agencies have highlighted the growing prevalence of AI-generated child sexual abuse material as a significant threat to public safety. The previous week, there was voting against measures in the Crime and Policing Bill aimed at tackling this issue.
What steps is his Department taking to keep children safe online? He noted that the National Crime Agency and other law enforcement agencies have highlighted AI-generated child sexual abuse material as a growing threat. That is why he expressed astonishment at the Tories and Reform voting against the Crime and Policing Bill, which contains measures to tackle this crime.
I do indeed agree with my hon. Friend on that. Child sexual exploitation and abuse is one of the most horrendous harms, and the Government are committed to ensuring that UK law keeps pace with criminal use of technologies including AI. We have introduced a world-leading offence in the Crime and Policing Bill to criminalise AI models optimised for creating child sexual abuse material.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Direct Answer
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Context
Parents in Gosport constituency are worried about young children accessing inappropriate content. The Online Safety Act has passed into law, but concerns remain about when practical changes will be seen.
When will parents begin to see the practical changes promised by the Online Safety Act? She stated that parents in her constituency are still worried about young children stumbling upon inappropriate material online.
When the Online Safety Act is fully enacted in July, we will see a step change in what children can see online. Ofcom will monitor this and ensure that where such material continues to be visible, action will be taken.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The Minister was previously asked in Parliament why implementation under Labour is slow, to which she responded that implementation must be 'proofed against judicial review as possible'. The shadow Secretary of State criticises this approach.
Why is the Minister more concerned about protecting herself and the Government than about protecting children? He noted that implementation is slow despite the Act being passed and cited concerns from Ian Russell, founder of the Molly Rose Foundation, who says Britain is 'going backwards' in online child protection.
It was the hon. Gentleman’s party that dragged its feet in bringing forward the legislation and watered it down. We are busy implementing the Act as set out in guidance. While the Act is not perfect, we will see a huge step change. Where there are issues and gaps, we are not afraid to act.
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Assessment & feedback
specific timeline or clear commitment on when legal caution would be lessened in favour of quicker implementation
Dragged Its Feet
Watered It Down
Response accuracy