Written question WQ91284
- Asked by
- Rhys ab OwenIndependent
- To be answered by
- Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 7 days
Question
What is the Welsh Government doing to encourage social media companies to do more to protect young people in Wales from sexual exploitation?
Answer
Answered by Minister for Education and the Welsh Language
The long-awaited UK Government Online Safety Act, which establishes a new online safety regulatory framework, is a step forward. The legislation imposes new legal duties and responsibilities on regulated services, including social media, video-sharing platforms, and search engines to protect their users. I welcome the enhanced protection the Act promises to afford children and young people.
Ofcom, as the appointed Online safety regulator, will have an expanded range of duties and powers to hold these online services to account. Ofcom are currently consulting on their Codes of Practice that are designed to compel social media platforms to implement measures that effectively safeguard young people from online harms.
I welcome the open and positive approach that Ofcom is taking. Officials are actively working with Ofcom Cymru to ensure the voices of Welsh young people are represented in the consultations and support them to shape comprehensive and robust Codes of Practice to ensure social media platforms provide safer online experiences for children and young people.