Key Facts

• Clause 170 repeals the video-sharing platform (VSP) regime.
• The Online Safety Bill applies to a wider range of online platforms than the VSP regime.
• Clause 172 amends section 1B of the Protection of Children Act 1978 to create a defence for Ofcom staff against criminalisation while discharging their duties.
• Roger Gale is discussing clauses 173 to 176 of the Online Safety Bill.
• He suggests considering these clauses together for stand part purposes.
• The clause allows for updating the list of fraudulent offences in section 36.
• Clause 174 includes exemptions to keep the Bill targeted and proportionate.
• Clause 175 updates the list of categories of education and childcare providers.
• Clause 176 provides powers to amend schedules related to priority criminal, child sexual exploitation, and terrorism offences.
• Clause 173 gives the Secretary of State power to amend fraud offences related to fraudulent advertising.
• Clause 174 allows the Secretary of State to make regulations exempting certain content or services from the regulatory regime.
• Clause 175 grants powers to amend descriptions of education and childcare in England, with criteria for amendments.
• Clause 176 gives power to amend terrorism offences (schedule 5), child sexual exploitation and abuse content offences (schedule 6), and priority offences (schedule 7).
• Clause 173 to 175 are ordered to stand part of the Bill.
• Amendment 126 ensures consultation with Scottish Ministers or Northern Ireland's Department of Justice before making regulations that affect Scotland or Northern Ireland only.
• Clauses discuss powers to amend Schedules 5, 6 and 7.
• Clauses 181 to 188 are being discussed.
• Amendment 76 aims to clarify the definition of 'content' in clause 189.
• The amendment inserts 'but not limited to' after 'including' to broaden the scope of what is considered content.
• Roger Gale advises that it would be courteous for the SNP spokesperson to speak to their amendment first.
• The discussion is about amendments and clauses in the Online Safety Bill.
• Clause 181 concerns the definition of 'user'.
• Amendment 76 would amend the definition of 'content' in clause 189.
• The amendment suggests adding 'but not limited to' before a list of content types.
• Amendment 111 is not claimed as it has been tabled by a non-Committee member.
• Labour seeks further amendments during Report stage if clarification is required.
• Clause 49 refers to one-to-one live aural communications, while clause 189 uses 'oral' in content definition.
• New clause amends section 2 of the Obscene Publications Act 1959.
• It creates a defence for OFCOM, their employees, or those assisting in exercising online safety functions against publishing obscene articles.
• The amendment ensures that the Bill applies to relevant parts of the UK.
• Amendment 49 seeks to bring Part 5 of the Online Safety Bill into force three months after it is passed.
• The amendment aims to provide protections for children from online harms as soon as possible.
• A BBC 'Panorama' investigation highlighted that social media algorithms may promote violent content to vulnerable young people.
• The Digital Economy Act 2017 received Royal Assent in April 2017.
• Part 3 of the DEA was intended to be in force by Easter 2019 but faced delays due to administrative issues.
• In October 2019, the Government announced it would not commence part 3 concerning age verification for online pornography.
• Part 3 of the Digital Economy Act 2017 has been cancelled due to delays.
• Ofcom will produce guidance on meeting the duties in part 5, but a three-month timeframe may not allow proper consultation.
• The Online Safety Bill aims to provide comprehensive protection against user-to-user and commercial pornography aimed at children.
• New clause 42 introduces new schedule 2 allowing OFCOM to charge fees to providers for recovery of initial costs.
• The period over which set-up costs can be recovered is specified as between three and five years.
• Additional fees charged under new schedule 2 must be paid into the Consolidated Fund.
• Only 14% to 12 to 15-year-old children have ever reported content according to Ofcom’s evidence.
• A survey of 2,000 children found that 50% had seen harmful content and 40% tried but failed to remove it about themselves in the past month.
• Andy Burrows from NSPCC highlighted the importance of an advocacy body acting as an early warning system for identifying new areas of harm.
• New clause would allow the Secretary of State to appoint an existing or new body as statutory user advocate.
• The levy on regulated companies aligns with the 'polluter pays' principle in part 6.
• Research shows that 88% of UK adults support a requirement for an independent body protecting children's interests online.
• Almost 80% of young people aged 11 to 25 have never heard of the Bill.
• Blackman has been online since she was eight years old.
• Girlguiding conducts an annual survey on girls' experiences of the internet which shows overwhelmingly negative experiences but also provides solace during isolation.
• Ofcom cannot rely solely on charities and third sector organisations without adequate funding.
• The Online Safety Bill includes strong protections for children.
• Clause 17 allows parents or responsible adults to raise content-reporting claims on behalf of children.
• Clause 18 requires complaints procedures to be easy to access and use for children.
• Clause 140 enables organisations like the NSPCC to raise super-complaints with Ofcom.
• The Children’s Commissioner acts as a statutory advocate for children.
• The Children's Commissioner has statutory duties set out in section 2 of the Children Act 2004.
• The victims budget was approximately £300 million for the current financial year.
• Clause 140 allows groups to bring super-complaints, covering more than just children's issues.
• The Children's Commissioner in Scotland prioritizes protecting human rights over online safety.
• Dame Rachel de Souza is doing a fantastic job advocating for children in both offline and digital spheres.
• A YoungMinds survey showed that many young people have not heard of the Online Safety Bill.
• A survivor of online grooming felt isolated and had no one on their side when seeking help.
• The Children's Commissioner cited her own survey showing a large proportion of 2,000 children failed to get content about themselves removed.