Science & Tech Committee ‘welcome’ announcements made in Online Harms White Paper

Rt Hon Norman Lamb MP, Chair of the Science and Technology Committee, said:

“I welcome the significant announcements made in today’s Government White Paper, which endorses key recommendations from my Committee’s Report into the impact of social media and screen-use on young people’s health. 

“It is vital that progress is made to legislate and to prepare an effective statutory code of practice. While we recognise the benefits that social media can have, it can also pose significant risks to children and young people, in particular.

“That is why social media companies must recognise their responsibility for children and young people using their sites. We are pleased to see that the Government has decided to make a duty of care a central focus of the White Paper. 

“Building a culture of transparency, trust and accountability must be a crucial objective of the new regulatory framework.

“We will remain vigilant to ensure that the legislation the Government introduces matches the ambition of today’s announcements. The devil will be in the detail.”