Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of conducting research on the impact of social media design on children's mental health.

Research is critical to ensure the safety of the products we interact with daily. This includes online platforms.

The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology is considering options for research into the impact being online has on children and will shortly be making announcements.

Alongside this, the Data Use and Access Bill contains a provision granting the Secretary of State power to create a framework enabling researchers to gain privacy-preserving access to online safety related data and conduct vital research into online trends, helping to support future action for a safer online world.