Online Safety Act: Implementation

Emphasised the need for urgent action based on historical inaction regarding online safety, highlighting the limitations of the current approach by Ofcom that does not adequately address design and feature risks as explicitly called out in the Act.

Acknowledged the previous Government’s efforts to pass the Online Safety Act, aiming to increase child safety online. Emphasised concerns about social media's impact on children’s mental health and asked the Minister to address parents' worries regarding ongoing exposure to harmful content.

Discussed the challenges of social media for teenagers, highlighting concerns over violent content becoming normalised due to lack of moderation. Called for stronger regulation against tech giants.

Emphasized the importance of rapid implementation despite delays, and discussed Ofcom's approach to safety by design and proportionality measures. Explained that Ofcom's approach is to ensure the codes are correct and can be implemented without delay, rather than focusing on judicial review-proofing.

Expressed concern about inconsistencies across different online platforms and their impact on children's safety, emphasizing the need for consistent regulations.

Agreed that regulators should be more agile in the fast-moving digital technology landscape and questioned Ofcom's approach to category 1 services.

Welcomed the Act as landmark legislation with potential to transform online safety for children, but raised concerns about interpretation of 'technically feasible' and safe harbour provision which may lead platforms to opt out of finding innovative solutions. Emphasised need for incentivising platforms to go beyond minimum requirements.

Emphasises the need for strong regulation and enforcement to protect young people from harmful online content, especially concerning extreme misogyny and violence against women. Raises concerns about Ofcom's lack of clear definitions in age assurance measures and calls for faster action on app stores' regulation.

Discussed the rise of cyber-bullying and online exploitation, highlighting a significant increase in crimes involving child contact by sexual predators. Emphasised the importance of strict controls to protect children's innocence.

Expressed concern over the implementation of the Online Safety Act not focusing on safety by design, pointing out inconsistencies and disproportionate requirements for different types of platforms.

Called for the inclusion of dynamic risk assessments in the implementation of Ofcom’s children’s safety codes, arguing it would enhance real-time protection for vulnerable users and require immediate action when risks are identified. Asked for clarity on re-consultation watermarks and delays in implementing children’s codes. Asked whether the consultation on the next iterations of the codes would include parliamentarians or be solely with platforms.

Discussed the importance of Ofcom’s code of practice, conformity across different platforms, and the urgency of children's safety codes. Highlighted issues such as age assessment difficulties and the exclusion of smaller harmful sites.

Asked for clarification about the Minister's statement regarding judicial review-proofing of the codes.

Asked about the Government’s interpretation of proportionality in the context of the Act.