Parliamentary Business - Liz Kendall MP - Liz Kendall

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Social Media Ban for Under-16s

Commons debates

Absolutely. This is about the social media companies putting their house in order. Lots of people have said, “Won’t you bow to pressure? You’ll cave under it.” I hope that...

Social Media Ban for Under-16s

Commons debates

There are already requirements under the Online Safety Act for companies to remove illegal content, and those deal with the issue of foreign interference, particularly during elections. As I...

Social Media Ban for Under-16s

Commons debates

I am so sorry to hear about what happened to Leo. I heard what my hon. Friend describes so many times during the course of the consultation, and many of the representations we had—from the...

Social Media Ban for Under-16s

Commons debates

As I said in response to an earlier question, this was the issue that I wanted to grapple with the most. People want to find people who love in the same way, or who like the same things, and they...

Social Media Ban for Under-16s

Commons debates

I thank the hon. Gentleman for his comments. There is obviously overwhelming support among parents, teachers, the police and others for an outright ban; then there are those who say that we just...

Social Media Ban for Under-16s

Commons debates

Yes. I have had detailed conversations with the Culture Secretary and the Education Secretary about all these issues. There is much more to do, but we are determined to give children the very...

Social Media Ban for Under-16s

Commons debates

The Online Safety Act 2023 requirements remain. This is not an either/or; the companies have to make sure that they remove illegal content for everybody and remove harmful content for children. I...

Social Media Ban for Under-16s

Commons debates

We want to provide the very best advice and support, based on the evidence, to parents, and also through schools.

Social Media Ban for Under-16s

Commons debates

Yes, absolutely. The Department has already published new help and guidance for parents on how to talk to children about their life online. That will need to be done differently at different...

Social Media Ban for Under-16s

Commons debates

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. We have made great strides, with the £500 million in our Youth Matters national youth strategy, on rejuvenating our youth services and giving more access...

Social Media Ban for Under-16s

Commons debates

The hon. Lady is right to raise the issue of enforcement. That is why I have specifically asked the new incoming chair of Ofcom to hold an urgent review of its capabilities, to ensure that it...

Social Media Ban for Under-16s

Commons debates

Absolutely. I have been very clear throughout this statement that the responsibility is on the social media platforms, not on parents or children, and that it is up to them to take the action...

Social Media Ban for Under-16s

Commons debates

We have a brilliant, fantastic, world-leading gaming industry in this country. That is why we are not including games under the blanket ban. However, I have been really concerned by issues raised...

Social Media Ban for Under-16s

Commons debates

I thank my right hon. Friend for her question; she has campaigned tirelessly on this. The model in Australia that we plan to use captures user-to-user platforms that have enabling social...

Social Media Ban for Under-16s

Commons debates

That is not part of the announcement that I have made today. I am always willing to look at people’s arguments on different issues. On a separate issue, we have now taken action to try to...

Social Media Ban for Under-16s

Commons debates

I am really glad that my hon. Friend has raised this issue. There was an important point in the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges’ response precisely about the physical health implications,...

Social Media Ban for Under-16s

Commons debates

This is a wake-up call for the companies: “You had your chance. You didn’t fulfil your existing obligations under the law. Enough.” That is really important for us to say. They...

Social Media Ban for Under-16s

Commons debates

I am glad that my hon. Friend believes his constituents will support this action. The Minister for Online Safety spent a week in Australia learning the lessons, including about how kids are...

Social Media Ban for Under-16s

Commons debates

We have not set any targets or goals. I do think that more highly effective age verification measures will make a difference. As I said—I want to be honest—this is about today’s...

Social Media Ban for Under-16s

Commons debates

I understand that this announcement will be extremely difficult for many children who are on social media today—I know that it will cause a lot of worry and disquiet. I want to ensure that...