Question to the Home Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the manufacturers of internet-enabled devices about the increase in self-generated indecent images of children online.

We are working across Government and engaging industry to prevent all forms of online child sexual exploitation and abuse. We welcome the All-Party Parliamentary Group of Social Media inquiry into the rise of self-generated indecent imagery. As part of our response to the pandemic, https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-keeping-children-safe-online/coronavirus-covid-19-support-for-parents-and-carers-to-keep-children-safe-online has been published for parents and children outlining resources to help keep children safe from different risks online, including apps to help children stay safe online, and how to access support and advice.

The Government is continuing to engage with technology companies around the Voluntary Principles to Counter Online Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse, a framework of principles launched by the Five Country Ministerial partners in March. However, while some companies are working proactively to tackle illegal and harmful content and activity that occurs on their platforms, more needs to be done.

The Full Government Response to the Online Harms White paper consultation has been recently published and sets out our plans to introduce world-leading legislation to tackle harmful content online and make the UK the safest place in the world to be online. This legislation will include a legal duty of care on online platforms, backed up by an independent regulator to hold them to account.

The Government recognises the risks of criminalising children as a result of self-generated images. Outcome 21 is assigned by the police where a crime has been reported but further investigation is not in the public interest.

When the police use Outcome 21, it allows them to properly record and capture crimes, whilst demonstrating they are satisfied that there is very low risk of harm. Outcome 21 cases will not normally be subject to any subsequent disclosure.