Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Matt Turmaine and Joe Powell

Wednesday 10th September 2025 Commons Chamber

[Matt Turmaine (Watford) (Lab)]

2. What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Online Safety Act 2023 in reducing children’s exposure to harmful online content.

[Joe Powell (Kensington and Bayswater) (Lab)]

10. What assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the Online Safety Act 2023 in reducing children’s exposure to harmful online content.

[The Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology (Liz Kendall)]

Protecting children from harmful content online is a top priority for this Government and for me personally, because it is a deeply concerning issue for parents and children across the country. Since implementing the Online Safety Act this summer, 6,000 sites have taken action to stop children seeing harmful content online, but I will be paying close attention to what is working and will not hesitate to go further if necessary. Indeed, on Monday I added self-harm material to the list of priority offences in the Act, so if companies do not take down content that promotes self-harm or actively stop it appearing, they will face enforcement action. I hope this shows the House my determination to take all necessary steps on this issue.