Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask His Majesty's Government what procedures are in place to respond to and safeguard any children making serious disclosures within the Growing Up in the Online World consultation.

It is vital that any serious disclosures to the Growing Up in the Online World consultation are treated with care.

The provider of the children's survey has trained staff which routinely screen responses for safeguarding risks, including references to abuse, harm, or immediate danger. Where the provider of the children’s consultation receives an identifiable response from a child at risk of significant harm, this is referred to the relevant authority, including emergency services or local children’s social services if required, in accordance with statutory safeguarding responsibilities.

For anonymous disclosures, the incident is securely recorded and escalated to the organisation’s safeguarding lead. In line with NSPCC guidance, the safeguarding lead reviews the circumstances and may contact the NSPCC Helpline.