Online Safety Consultation

Leigh On Sea News: Online Safety Consultation – THE MP for Southend West and Leigh, David Burton-Sampson, says that his digital postbag has been inundated with inquiries about the potential social media ban for young people under 16.
“Several hundred people have been in touch with a range of concerns from the amount of screen time for under-five’s to AI chatbots.
“I know this is very worrying for people and I am glad the government has opened an official consultation and I am also doing my own survey to establish what my constituents think.”
The government has launched a consultation on children’s safety online. It will look at all the options and consider a wide range of points of view. It also asks the questions about how any new rules would work in practice to ensure they are effective.
Some of the questions the consultation is considering include whether there should be a minimum age for social media, whether platforms should be required to switch off addictive features that keep children hooked late into the night.
There is also concern about whether children should be able to use AI chatbots without restrictions, how age verification enforcement should be strengthened and what areas of digital literacy parents and children may need extra help with. The consultation will close on 26th May.
Mr Burton-Sampson added: “Social media use is a huge and controversial area and I understand why so many people have contacted me over it. Shaping the country’s next steps on children’s digital wellbeing is so important.
“As your MP, I am determined to make sure that we get this right, and that we create a digital world that gives young people the childhood they deserve and prepares them for the future.
“That is why I am getting views from families across Southend West and Leigh to help shape these reforms and champion your views to Ministers.
“The Government’s consultation on children’s safety online will look at all the options and consider a wide range of points of view, then respond in the summer, acting swiftly on the evidence gathered.
“We all want the best start in life for our children and that’s why I would like to hear your views in my survey. Many parents feel that they are fighting a losing battle against platforms now is the time to contribute to the national conversation to change that.”

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