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Internet: Suicide

Asked by Anna GelderdLabourDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled Answered 29 April 2025UIN 46648

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what assessment has he made of the effectiveness of the Online Safety Act in tackling forums and websites that promote suicide methods.

Answered by Feryal Clark

Under the Online Safety Act, in-scope services, regardless of their size, must prevent all users from encountering illegal suicide content, and children from harmful suicide content. On 9 April, Ofcom launched an investigation into whether the provider of a pro-suicide forum failed to comply with its duties under the Act. This first enforcement action taken by Ofcom demonstrates that harmful suicide forums are a high priority for enforcement.

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