Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps she is taking to ensure that the Online Safety Act 2023 prevents young people from accessing content that could adversely affect those with eating disorders.

Under the Online Safety Act, social media, chat groups and other user-to-user services are required to use highly-effective age assurance to prevent children of all ages from accessing content that promotes, encourages or provides instructions for eating disorders. Providers must also consider how algorithms can impact children’s exposure to this harmful content and mitigate this risk.

All service providers must also take steps to protect children from harmful body stigma content, which is linked to significant harm arising from body or image dissatisfaction.