Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what discussions he has had with social media companies about bringing forward legislative proposals to tackle internet trolling.

The sending of abusive messages or material online can cause absolute misery for victims and the Government recognises the need to make sure that people who commit these awful crimes are properly punished.

Changes to the law included in the Criminal Justice and Courts Bill will mean that people who target others with abusive or offensive material, including internet trolls, will face up to two years in prison and the police will have more time to investigate cases.

The Secretary of State for Justice has not had any discussions to date with social media companies about legislative proposals to tackle internet trolling. However, as one of the joint chairs of the UK Council for Child Internet Safety, I have discussed and fed the Government’s views in to a range of internet safety issues with social media companies and others.