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Diabetes and Eating Disorders: Disinformation

Asked by Manuela PerteghellaLiberal DemocratDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 22 September 2025UIN 76698

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what discussions he has had with social media companies on moderating (a) pro–eating disorder material and (b) misinformation relating to (i) diabetes and (ii) body image.

Answered by Dr Zubir Ahmed

No discussions have been held with social media companies by the Department.

Under the Government’s Online Safety Act, all in-scope services are now required to protect their users from illegal content, and platforms likely to be accessed by children need to prevent their users from accessing eating disorder content.

We are working closely with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, Ofcom and others as the Online Safety Act takes effect. This includes exploring further opportunities to address harmful pro-eating disorder material and misinformation shared on social media and websites.

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