TikTok: Bereaved British Parents

Debate between Baroness Lloyd of Effra and Lord Bassam of Brighton

Tuesday 27th January 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Lloyd of Effra (Lab)]

We have set a regime. This House passed the Online Safety Act. It is a regime supervised by Ofcom. We have given Ofcom the resources it needs to supervise against the Online Safety Act. We have made it clear that we back the use of those powers and, as we have seen recently, the Government are prepared to make it clear that they stand behind Ofcom in taking action where that is seen to be fitting.

[Lord Bassam of Brighton (Lab)]

My Lords, the Minister will be aware that Australia has already instituted a ban. I welcome the consultation that was announced last week. Will we look at Australia’s experience and try to interpret the experience of other jurisdictions in carrying out the consultation?

[Baroness Lloyd of Effra (Lab)]

My noble friend is right that there are other practices in other jurisdictions. We should absolutely learn from their experience of taking measures to protect children online and how they are enacted, and look at the effect on both the social media space and on children.