The Online Safety Act 2023 was introduced by the last Government in good faith to protect children online and tackle the worst abuses on social media. The legislation heralded a new era of internet safety and choice by placing world-first legal duties on social media platforms, making the UK the safest place in the world to be online. It gives powers to the independent regulator Ofcom to enforce the rules and impose substantial fines if providers do not comply and reflects the changing nature of the challenges online.
The Online Safety Act ensures that tech companies take more responsibility for the safety of their users, particularly children. The Act crucially introduces several new offences, such as cyberflashing, intimate image abuse, encouragement of self-harm, false communications and threatening communications and places a legal duty on social media platforms and internet providers to tackle both illegal content and content harmful to children, including that which promotes, encourages or provides instructions for suicide, self-harm and eating disorders.
It takes a zero-tolerance approach to protecting children and places duties on providers to enforce age limits and use age-checking measures on platforms where content harmful to children is published – such as pornography. The Act also requires providers to be more transparent about the risks and dangers posed to children on their sites, including by publishing risk assessments; and provide parents and children with clear and accessible ways to report problems online when they do arise.
The latest tranche of measures came into force on the 25th of July with the implementation of the age assurance requirements set out in the Protection of Children Code of Practice. Taken together, the measures in the Online Safety Act mean it is now harder for children in the UK to access online porn than in any other OECD country.
However, while the aims of the Online Safety Act were well-intentioned as explained, I am concerned by reports some providers have been overzealously removing content to avoid sanctions from Ofcom. Technology companies should not be taking down content that they consider could be harmful to children in a 'better safe than sorry' mindset. This is the wrong approach. I am clear that self-censorship by companies in search of a quiet life absolutely must be avoided.
I am pleased the Labour Government has said that “platforms should not arbitrarily block or remove content and instead must take a risk-based, proportionate approach to child safety duties.” I agree that we should not be censoring content online but protecting freedom of speech and encouraging political debate.
I do know many people around the country are concerned this is not the case and have pointed to potential data privacy issues associated with the age assurance requirements and the burdensome regulations on small and medium-sized businesses, as well as on specialist hobby sites. People want safety, balance and a proportionate approach.
I am not, therefore, surprised the petition calling for the Online Safety Act to be revoked has, as of the 17th September 2025, reached 537,601 signatures with 754 coming from my constituency of East Grinstead and Uckfield. The Government has now responded to the petition, but I do appreciate many feel their concerns have yet not been fully addressed. Standard practice for this government so it seems. As the petition has now garnered more than required 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for a debate in Parliament this autumn. I look forward to attending and contributing to the debate if I can.
In the meantime, you may be reassured to know Dame Melanie Dawes, Ofcom Chief Executive, said:
"Ofcom is not a censor, and our new powers are not about taking content down. Our job is to tackle the root causes of harm. We will set new standards online, making sure sites and apps are safer by design. Importantly, we’ll also take full account of people’s rights to privacy and freedom of expression."
As the Official Opposition, my colleagues and I will be following the implementation of this ground-breaking and pivotal Act very closely and reflecting my constituents views and concerns.
