Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he has made of the effect of (a) internet trolling and (b) online abuse on people’s psychological wellbeing.

This Government is clear that online abuse of any kind is unacceptable. Social media can be a way of making positive social connections, and should never be used as a platform to abuse or bully individuals. Evidence has shown links between certain increases in social media use and poorer mental health, however it is not clear whether increased use causes poorer mental health. For example, it is possible that poorer mental health drives an increase in use of social media. To better understand the relationship between social media and the mental health of children and young people up to 25 years old, the Chief Medical Officer is leading a review to examine all relevant international research in the area. The review will inform a report from the Chief Medical Officer, expected for publication next year.

To help tackle some of these issues, we have talked to social media companies about taking concrete action, particularly in the areas of improved age verification for underage children, tackling long periods online and harmful content. We understand that companies have existing work in place in these areas, and that there are significant challenges, but we are keen for further action to be taken. This is why the former Secretary of State for Health and Social Care (the. Rt. hon. Jeremy Hunt) asked social media companies to set out their formal positions on this work and how they envisage we could work together to make further progress. We have received a number of responses and we are working closely with the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport as we consider our next steps, and they work with the Home Office on a White Paper on Internet Harms, following their consultation on internet safety.