Nothing short of legislation will reassure families that their loved ones are safe online – Tracy Brabin

“It’s shameful that nearly a year after the White Paper, three years after its promise to legislate on online harms, and more than a decade after the first tragic social media suicides were reported, all the Government has to show us is an ‘initial consultation response.’

“Today’s proposals are long overdue, and nothing short of legislation will reassure families that their loved ones are safe online.”

Ends

Notes to editors:

· The Government’s intention to address online harms was first mentioned in the 2017 Tory Manifesto, which promised to “make Britain the safest place in the world to be online”.

· The Government published a consultative White Paper on Online Harms in April 2019 proposing a duty of care on social media companies.

· Today’s announcement is not a draft Bill or even a full consultation response.