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Online Safety Act: Implementation
26 February 2025
Lead MP
Jeremy Wright
Kenilworth and Southam
Con
Responding Minister
Feryal Clark
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Word Count: 13916
Other Contributors: 14
At a Glance
Jeremy Wright raised concerns about online safety act: implementation in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The MP calls for Ofcom to change course and broaden its characterisation of the risks that online services must act upon. He also urges Ofcom to ensure that its codes of practice fully align with the Act's provisions to improve children’s safety, and addresses the concept of proportionality in measures required by the regulator.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The lead MP is concerned that Ofcom, the regulator for the Online Safety Act 2023, appears unwilling to use all the tools provided by the Act to make the online world safer. Sir Jeremy Wright mentions specific concerns about Ofcom's restrictive view on harms and its reluctance to address emerging risks related to children's welfare, particularly in relation to algorithmic design and excessive screen time.
Hitchin
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.
Ben Obese-Jecty
Con
Huntingdon
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.
Bobby Dean
LD
Carshalton and Wallington
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.
Feryal Clark
Con
Brent North
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.
Gareth Snell
Lab/Co-op
Stoke-on-Trent Central
Expressed concern about inconsistencies across different online platforms and their impact on children's safety, emphasizing the need for consistent regulations.
Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey
Agreed that regulators should be more agile in the fast-moving digital technology landscape and questioned Ofcom's approach to category 1 services.
Gregor Poynton
Lab
Livingston
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.
Jess Asato
Lab
Lowestoft
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.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
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.
Kirsty Blackman
SNP
Aberdeen North
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.
Lola McEvoy
SNP
Dunfermline and West Fife
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.
Newton Abbot
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.
Monica Harding
Con
Esher and Walton
Asked for clarification about the Minister's statement regarding judicial review-proofing of the codes.
Jeremy Wright
Con
Kenilworth and Southam
Asked about the Government’s interpretation of proportionality in the context of the Act.
Government Response
Feryal Clark
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology
Government Response
It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Stringer. I thank the right hon. and learned Member for Kenilworth and Southam (Sir Jeremy Wright) for securing this debate on the implementation of the Online Safety Act... The Government share their commitment to keeping users safe online. It is crucial that we continue to have conversations about how best to achieve that goal. Discussed the importance of rapid implementation of the Online Safety Act, addressing concerns about delays, re-consultation, and proportionality. Emphasized that there are no plans to water down measures and highlighted Ofcom's approach to tackling harmful functionalities and safety by design.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.