The Education Committee will question representatives from charities and the National Police Chiefs’ Council, followed by Dame Rachel de Souza, the Children’s Commissioner, in a session on online harms and the effectiveness of the Online Safety Act.
The cross-party Committee will question the first panel of witnesses on the impacts of social media on children’s wellbeing and safety. Evidence submitted to the inquiry from various organisations has criticised the way that algorithms used by social media platforms can be addictive and direct harmful content to children.
Deputy Chief Constable Ian Critchley of the National Police Chiefs’ Council will be asked about police forces’ ability to investigate harms that take place online, and whether provisions in the Online Safety Act will improve police powers to charge perpetrators of online crimes against children.
MPs will be interested to hear whether there are signs that the Online Safety Act is encouraging social media companies to take action to minimise risks of harm, and how quickly Ofcom, now acting as regulator, can implement the Act effectively.
