Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Online Safety: Children

Wednesday 25 June 2025 · 3 questions

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Gregor Poynton raised concerns about AI-generated child sexual abuse material and criticized the opposition for voting against measures to address it.
  • Dame Caroline Dinenage inquired about the timeline for parents to see practical changes promised by the Online Safety Act, expressing worry about inappropriate online content.
  • Alan Mak accused the Minister of prioritizing political protection over child safety, citing slow implementation and criticism from the Molly Rose Foundation.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Gregor Poynton Lab Livingston
Crime & Law Enforcement Children & Families
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.

Question

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.

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Feryal Clark)

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.

Answered
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Q2 Caroline Dinenage Con Gosport
Culture, Media & Sport
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.

Question

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.

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Feryal Clark)

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.

Answered
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Q3 Alan Mak Con Havant
Children & Families
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.

Question

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.

Answer from The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Feryal Clark)

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific timeline or clear commitment on when legal caution would be lessened in favour of quicker implementation

How: Dragged Its Feet, Watered It Down

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