The Digital Secretary has today met with
people affected by online harms, as the Government
finalises what new laws will be necessary to ensure UK
citizens are better protected online.
Many of those the Secretary of State met with have suffered
directly from online harms - including cyber bullying,
revenge porn and hate speech. They are now publicly
campaigning on online safety issues and supporting others
through their own platforms and work with charities.
The meeting at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media
and Sport (DCMS) comes ahead of the publication of the
Online Harms White Paper, which will outline steps
government will take to ensure the UK is the safest place
in the world to be online.
The meeting was an opportunity to listen to those who have
been directly affected by these issues to help shape any
new legislation and hear their views about what more social
media companies could do to combat the negative effects of
their platforms.
Digital Secretary Secretary said:
Today I have heard directly from those who have suffered
the very worst that the online world has to offer. I am
grateful to them for sharing their experiences and for
their input into what needs to change to ensure future
generations can make the best possible use of everything
good about the internet, without experiencing these
harms.
The era of self-regulation is coming to an end and online
platforms will have to do more to keep their users safe.
We will shortly set out the responsibilities of online
platforms, how these responsibilities should be met and
what would should happen if they are not.
Alex Holmes, Deputy CEO at the Diana Award said:
The Diana Award has been one of many organisations
engaged with government throughout this process, and it
was useful to again meet with Jeremy alongside parents,
young people and our Anti-Bullying Ambassadors from
across the UK who are trained to keep themselves and
peers safe online.
Industry play a vital part in interventions working with
organisations like ours and many others to help us to
manage risks and reduce harms for individuals,
particularly children & young people. I hope that the
White Paper will not only allow the UK to continue to be
leaders in internet safety but that it also attracts
wider international support from other governments.
Alongside representatives from charities the Diana Award,
the UK Safer Internet Centre, Mencap and the NSPCC,
attendees included:
James McVey - James was bullied at school and has since
been vocal about it as a Diana Award ambassador, and member
of the band, The Vamps.
Calum McSwiggan - is a prominent Youtuber and frequently
posts to his 200,000 followers about LGBT issues, including
his own experiences of abuse online.
James Okulaja - James was subjected to online abuse and is
now a national anti-bullying ambassador.
Sarah Parke - Sarah is the mother of Grace Parke, who was
cyber bullied and suffered from serious mental health
issues. Sarah and Grace campaign together on the issues.
Amy Clarke - Amy is a digital spokesperson at Royal Mencap
Society. Amy has a learning disability and has received
abuse on social media as a result of this.
Ruth Moss - Ruth’s daughter Sophie took her own life, aged
13, after being exposed to inappropriate self-harm and
suicide content on social networks. Ruth has involved the
police and taken steps to prevent her daughter being able
to view more distressing and harmful images online.
Mared Parry - Mared was manipulated into sending sexual
pictures of herself as a child. She now educates young
girls about the dangers of online grooming.
