Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Growing up in the Online World: Consultation

Wednesday 20 May 2026 · 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 0 Partly answered 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Department has dedicated surveys for parents and young people to simplify engagement with the "Growing up in the online world" consultation.
  • The Department is seeking expert medical input through an expert panel chaired by Professor Russell Viner, including psychologists and psychiatrists.
  • Proposals from the consultation will be presented before the summer, and the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 allows for implementation of results by the year-end.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Fred Thomas Lab Plymouth Moor View
Education Culture, Media & Sport Children & Families
Context

The MP is concerned about the engagement level of parents and children in a government-led online safety consultation.

Question

What steps her Department has taken to help ensure that parents and children are able to engage with the consultation entitled “Growing up in the online world: a national consultation.”

Answer from Liz Kendall

Making it as simple as possible for parents and children to get involved in our consultation is really important to me personally, because I know that this is an issue that so many families grapple with every single day. We have dedicated surveys for parents and young people. Almost 38,000 parents and 12,700 young people have completed the survey so far, and there are also other events that my Ministers and I have taken part in. However, there is a still a week to go, so I say to anybody who is watching questions to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology: please, get involved and answer. We want to know what you think. We want your views, because we have to get this right.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific steps taken by the department were not clearly detailed, only mentioning dedicated surveys and events.

How: We Are Committed

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Q2 Fred Thomas Lab Plymouth Moor View
Culture, Media & Sport Children & Families
Context

Parents in Plymouth are concerned about the impact of social media on their children, with 92% reporting worries. The consultation lacks a clear mechanism for considering evidence from medical experts and excludes tech companies' commercial interests.

Question

I speak to parents in Plymouth regularly who are concerned about social media's impact on their children, noting that many do not have time for lengthy consultations. Parents also highlight issues with the consultation framing, lack of expert input mechanisms, and concerns over AI analysis. Will the Secretary of State confirm these concerns will be addressed when assessing results, and reiterate her commitment to bold action this summer?

Answer from Liz Kendall

We have received 38,000 parent responses to surveys. We are actively seeking medical professionals' views through an expert panel chaired by Professor Russell Viner with psychologists and psychiatrists involved. We will continue to seek these views over the remaining week of consultation.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not confirm that specific concerns about the consultation framing or AI analysis will be addressed in assessing results.

How: Actively Seeking, Remaining Week

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Q3 Christine Jardine Lib Dem Edinburgh West
Culture, Media & Sport Children & Families
Context

Parents in Edinburgh are concerned about their children's safety online and the timing of government action. They seek reassurances on how quickly issues will be addressed.

Question

A considerable number of parents have written to me concerning their children's safety from online threats. While welcoming the consultation, they express concern over its timing and request assurances regarding swift action. Additionally, what advice can the Secretary of State provide for parents in the interim?

Answer from Liz Kendall

Proposals from the consultation will come forward before summer. The Children's Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 provides powers for implementing results by year-end. Meanwhile, amendments have been made to Acts for greater protection, and advice 'You Won't Know until You Ask' is available online.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Secretary of State did not provide specific reassurances about the timing of action or concrete interim steps parents can take.

How: Come Forward With Proposals, Greater Protection

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