Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Child Safety Online

Monday 7 June 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • James Sunderland asked about steps being taken with Cabinet colleagues to ensure children's safety on the internet.
  • The Minister responded that the Government is working across departments and internationally to ensure children's safety online.
  • The Minister confirmed that the Home Office is collaborating with DCMS to develop the draft online safety Bill, emphasizing protections for children.

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Questions & Answers

Context

The question addresses the government's efforts to ensure children's safety on the internet in light of growing concerns about online exploitation and abuse.

Question

What steps she is taking with Cabinet colleagues to help ensure children are safe on the internet. I am earning my salary this afternoon, Mr Speaker!

Answer from Victoria Atkins

We are working across Government and internationally to ensure that children are safe on the internet. We continue to encourage companies to endorse and implement voluntary principles to counter online child sexual exploitation and abuse, launched in March last year with Five Country Governments, and we engage the G7 for further collective response. Our draft online safety Bill will require companies to take stringent action against child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer does not provide specific details on concrete actions or commitments beyond general statements about collaboration and voluntary principles.

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Context

The supplementary question seeks clarification on the Home Office's support for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport in drafting the online safety Bill and the proposed penalties for non-compliance.

Question

Will the Minister please outline the support that her Department is giving the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport with the online safety Bill and confirm that internet companies that break the law will be heavily prosecuted and heavily fined?

Answer from Victoria Atkins

Of course, the Home Office has been working with DCMS at both official and ministerial levels to develop the draft online safety Bill. We remain committed to making the UK the safest place to be online while defending freedom of expression. The strongest protections in the Bill are reserved for children, and Ofcom will have tough enforcement powers against companies that fail to fulfil their duties, including fines up to £18 million or 10% of qualifying annual global turnover.

Answered
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