VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Internet: Children

Asked by Jim ShannonDemocratic Unionist PartyDepartment for Science, Innovation and TechnologyTabled Answered 16 July 2025UIN 65772

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps his Department is taking to keep children safe online.

Answered by Feryal Clark

Keeping children safe online is a priority for this government. Through the Online Safety Act, children already benefit from the protections of the illegal content duties, and later this month the child safety duties will come into force, providing additional protections. Once in force, services in-scope will be required to protect children from harmful content, including pornography, suicide and self-harm material.

Ofcom – the regulator of the Act – has robust enforcement powers to use should services not comply with their duties. The government continues to consider all options in pursuit of child online safety building on provisions in the Act.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim