Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what recent steps her Department is taking to prevent the spread of harmful online content influencing antisocial behaviour in areas such as West Dorset.

The Online Safety Act requires social media companies to act on illegal content, such as material that includes threatening behaviour likely to cause fear or provoke immediate violence. Platforms must also protect children from harmful content, such as content that encourages dangerous online challenges. Ofcom has robust powers to enforce these duties, with the government’s full backing.

To go further, we committed through Protecting What Matters to strengthening community resilience and reducing exposure to harmful content. We are also consulting on additional measures to protect children online, including stronger controls on algorithmic amplification and supporting them in critically assessing content.