Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps he is taking to help reduce online (a) misogyny and (b) misandry.

The Online Safety Act requires all platforms to proactively tackle the most harmful illegal content including illegal misogyny and misandry. Where this type of abuse is not illegal, Category 1 services will have extra duties, requiring them to establish user empowerment tools, enabling all adult users to have greater control over their online experience.

Services likely to be accessed by children must provide safety measures protecting children from harmful and age-inappropriate content and activity.

The Act requires Ofcom, the regulator, to publish guidance about protecting women and girls online, which they published in draft for consultation on 25 February.