Australia: Social Media Algorithms

Debate between Baroness Twycross and Lord Tarassenko

Thursday 10th September 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

We have been really clear that the Online Safety Act is not the end of the road for online safety, and we had the Secretary of State’s announcement earlier this week. The Secretary of State has met the new chair of Ofcom to reinforce the importance of robust enforcement of the Online Safety Act. The Government have also asked Ofcom to publish a clear enforcement strategy and report to Parliament on progress. As the noble Baroness will be aware, it has significant enforcement powers and launches investigations, but we are trying to work with it to make sure that these are used as effectively as possible.

[Lord Tarassenko (CB)]

My Lords, the Expert Panel for Growing Up in an Online World was convened by DSIT earlier this year to provide independent, evidence-based advice supporting the growing up in the online world national consultation. It met three times in May and June this year, and the panel’s views informed the Government’s response to the consultation in July. Does the Minister agree that DCMS should reconvene this expert panel and ask it to work at pace to make recommendations on how best to give individuals greater control over what social media content is presented to them?

[Baroness Twycross (Lab)]

I thank everyone involved in the panel. It is really important that we address such issues collectively. I will speak to my colleague, Minister Murray, about the future of the panel and come back to the noble Lord as soon as possible.