Thank you for contacting me about protecting children from online pornography.
I would like to reassure you that my commitment to protecting children online is unwavering. While going online can be hugely beneficial for children who use the internet for connecting with peers, accessing educational resources and for entertainment, I completely agree that it is vital that children are protected from accessing inappropriate, harmful content, including online pornography.
I am heartened that the Government recognised concerns that were raised about protecting children from online pornography on services which did not fall within the scope of the draft Online Safety Bill. The Government bolstered the legislation, which has now received Royal Assent, by adding new standalone provisions which prevent children from accessing content produced by commercial providers of pornography as well as the sites that allow user-generated content.
By bringing all websites offering pornography online into scope, the measures in the legislation go further than provisions contained in the Digital Economy Act and the provisions better protect children from a broader range of harmful content and activity.
Under the Online Safety Act, all pornography sites, social media providers, and video-sharing platforms have a legal duty to verify that those accessing pornographic material are over 18 years old. If they fail to act, Ofcom the independent regulator may issue a fine of up to 10 per cent of global annual revenue.
Companies are expected to use age assurance or age verification technologies to prevent children from accessing services which pose the highest risk of harm, including online pornography.
Parents deserve peace of mind that their children are protected online from seeing things no child should see, and I am confident that this important piece of legislation will do this.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
