Thank you
to those constituents who have contacted me regarding the NSPCC’s Wild West Web
campaign to support new legislation to make children safer online.
The
safety of children, both online and offline, is a government priority and the
Online Harms Bill announced in the Queen’s Speech underscores this commitment.
I am confident the government will bring forward this bill as soon as possible.
The initial government response to the Online Harms White Paper was published
yesterday (12th February 2020) and the full response is
expected in the spring. The government is continuing to work with a wide range
of stakeholders across the industry and civil society to ensure progress is
made on online safety now highlighting the seriousness with which the
government is taking this issue.
Where
there is a risk to the safety of children, the government is working with law
enforcement and other relevant bodies to produce interim codes of practice. This
will provide guidance on how to tackle specific content and activity of great
concern, such as Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (CSEA). The codes will be
voluntary but are intended to bridge the gap until a regulator becomes
operational, given the seriousness of these harms. I understand these interim
codes of practice will be published in the coming months, however the
government expects companies to take action immediately to tackle harmful
content and activity on their service.
With the
rise in internet use opening the door for new ways for children to potentially
be abused and exploited, it is essential we get this right. I have every
confidence that the government will take this issue seriously and look forward
to the full response to the White Paper and reading more detail of the bill
when available. I will continue to follow this closely as I am extremely
committed to protecting children from all harm, online and offline.
