Social Networking Sites

Lord Storey Excerpts

Wednesday 11th January 2012 Lords Chamber

Asked By

[Lord Storey]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what additional measures they are planning to take to prevent bullying on social networking sites.

[Baroness Garden of Frognal]

My Lords, the Government are committed to tackling bullying on social networking sites by working with industry, academia, charities and parenting groups to develop tools and information for children and parents aimed at keeping children safe online. The Government are pressing the internet industry in the UK and in Europe to implement clear and simple processes for dealing with abuse online. The Government have also recently reviewed their cyberbullying policy.

[Lord Storey]

The Minister will be aware of the hugely increasing problem of cyberbullying by and of children and young people, particularly in schools. She will also be aware of how easy it is for children under age to set up and operate an account without parental permission. Will she meet the industry, teaching organisations and children’s welfare organisations to discuss the problem and how further safeguarding of our young children can be put in place?

[Baroness Garden of Frognal]

My noble friend speaks with great experience from his distinguished teaching career. The Government are aware of how proficient young children can be at setting up accounts and using the internet generally. We are backing the launch by the UK Council for Child Internet Safety of a one-stop approach to advise on online safety which will occur on 7 February. On my noble friend’s last question, I should be very happy to go ahead with the meeting as he suggests.