Digital Safety: Children Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department for Science, Innovation & Technology
Sonia Kumar
Main Page: Sonia Kumar (Labour - Dudley)Department Debates - View all Sonia Kumar's debates with the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology
(2 days, 17 hours ago)
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Kanishka Narayan
With respect to the hon. Member, there are a range of questions, not least about how we make sure that we do not allow harms on gaming and messaging platforms. We need to look at the precise way in which age assurance can be robust enough, so that we do not get young people escaping any changes. There are a range of implementation questions. We want to get this right for our young people and families, not give in to political back and forth.
Sonia Kumar (Dudley) (Lab)
Health misinformation and disinformation on social media is not harmless; it is a growing and serious threat to public health. We have already seen cases in which harmful online trends have led to severe injury and, tragically, even to the deaths of children. What steps are the Government taking to hold technology companies to account, and to prevent online influencers from being able to spread harmful and misleading health content on their platforms, given the clear risks that they pose to young people?
Kanishka Narayan
My hon. Friend makes a really important point. One of the things that we have been clear about is that regulated health advice should be provided only by regulated individuals in appropriate ways. The platforms need to ensure that they comply with that, and we will work with the regulator to ensure that any such responsibilities are carried out.