Children’s Social Media Accounts

Joined the debate in support of increased regulation and measures to protect children from online harms. Acknowledged contributions by other speakers and looks forward to the Minister's response. Recalled his own teenage experiences with early social media platforms like Bebo and MSN Messenger, stressing the need for better protection for young people who are learning to deal with online content at a vulnerable age.

Stressed the urgency to act on online harm and highlighted the progress made but noted areas where more needs to be done for parents' oversight rights and data access after bereavement.

Praised Ellen Roome's work in highlighting the issue. Acknowledged the contributions of other MPs and the significance of the petition.

Emphasized the need for Parliament to legislate given that overseas social media companies cannot be relied upon to act responsibly. Agreed with Lewis Atkinson on the necessity of legislative action but noted a lack of clarity in current law. Discussed how social media can exacerbate bullying, leading to a lack of safety for teenagers both in school and at home. Asked the Minister to commit to amending legislation to clearly identify doctored imagery and accounts spreading them.

Paid tribute to Ellen Roome and other families for their campaigning on online safety, highlighting the difficulty parents face in obtaining information after a child's death due to online harms. Urged tech companies to release data requested by bereaved parents without legal proceedings.

Agrees that social media companies should have responsibilities such as ensuring children in Wokingham and across the UK are protected from harmful content.

Joined colleagues in thanking Ellen Roome for initiating the petition and mentioned the Government's response to the Online Safety Act. Asked about the implications of the GDPR age limit of 13, questioning if parental controls could be overridden by someone reaching that age.

Highlighted the importance of striking a balance between respecting children's privacy and ensuring their safety online, while stressing the role of internet service providers in blocking harmful content linked to deaths of young people.

Described how social media companies have not released messages that could help identify the cause of a child's death.

Explained the rationale behind setting the GDPR age limit at 13 and offered to write to Damian Hinds with more detail on why this decision was made.

Stressed the harmful effects of excessive online activity on children's mental health, addiction risks, and exposure to inappropriate content. Emphasized the need for better regulation, parental oversight tools, and raising the age of internet access.

Asked if Caroline Voaden supports amendments to the Data (Use and Access) Bill that would establish a complaints procedure for data access requests from families of deceased individuals, but Caroline did not think it went far enough. Calls for a stronger dynamic risk assessment and live document updates within the upcoming children’s code to enhance safeguarding measures.

Shared Ellen Roome's story, highlighting her struggle to access her son Jools' social media data after his death. Criticised the legal system for failing to provide answers to grieving parents and called for reforms in line with natural justice.

Agreed with Caroline Voaden about the negative impact of social media on children's mental health and concentration levels. Suggested that a Government study announced in November exploring this issue should be published soon. Questions whether Ofcom’s implementation has been weak and overly cautious. Suggests it does not go far enough in protecting children.

Paid tribute to Ellen Roome for her campaign and discussed the significant amount of time young people spend online daily. She highlighted concerns about privacy, safety, and involvement of young people in solutions.

Asked about the disparity in regulation between platforms like LinkedIn versus Telegram or Discord, which are overrun with extreme and harmful content.

He thanks those who signed the petition for raising awareness about online harms and expresses concern that regulation of harmful content is not enough. The MP supports moving at pace to regulate persistent low-level harms eroding young people's mental health.

Welcomed the Online Safety Act but highlighted its limitations and called for legislation to give parents access to their children’s social media accounts.