Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, what assessment his Department has made of the effect of social media on young people’s mental health; and what plans his Department has to ensure that social media companies protect vulnerable young people.

On 7th February, the UK Chief Medical Officers published their independent systematic map of evidence on screen and social media use in children and young people, and recommended next steps and advice for parents and carers. You can view the report here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/777026/UK_CMO_commentary_on_screentime_and_social_media_map_of_reviews.pdf

The DCMS and Home Office Online Harms White Paper, due to be published shortly, will contain a range of legislative and non-legislative measures, setting out definitive plans to tackle a wide range of harms that users, including children and young people, face online.