Asked by: James McMurdock (Reform UK - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if his Department will launch an inquiry into social media harms for young people.
Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The government is aware of concerns of the impact that being on smartphones and social media from a young age is having on children. This month, the government has commissioned a feasibility study into future research to understand the ongoing impact of smartphones and social media on children, to enhance the evidence base in this area.
The Online Safety Act requires online services in scope of the regime to tackle content that is harmful to children. Ofcom, the independent regulator for online safety, is due to finalise its Code of Practice for protecting children in Spring 2025 with the duties then expected to be in effect by Summer 2025.
Asked by: James McMurdock (Reform UK - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, if he will take steps to prevent false accusations being made about people online.
Answered by Feryal Clark - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
Under the Online Safety Act, companies will be forced to take action against illegal content and abuse online including illegal misinformation and disinformation. The false communications offence was also introduced by the Act in January this year. The offence captures communications where the sender knows information to be false but sends it intending to cause harm, without reasonable excuse. This offence carries a maximum penalty of 51 weeks’ imprisonment, or a fine (or both).
Asked by: James McMurdock (Reform UK - South Basildon and East Thurrock)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to help improve internet connections in the South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency.
Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
According to the independent website ThinkBroadband.com, over 98% of premises in the South Basildon and East Thurrock constituency have access to superfast broadband speeds (>=30 Mbps) and over 90% can access a gigabit-capable (>1000 Mbps) connection.
Remaining premises that are not expected to receive a gigabit-capable connection through suppliers’ commercial rollout are being considered for support through Project Gigabit. Under a cross-regional framework agreement with Openreach, we plan to procure a contract to deliver fast, reliable broadband to eligible premises in the area.