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Written question asked by Scott Arthur (Labour) on Wednesday, 17 June 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 22 June 2026. It was answered by Kanishka Narayan (Labour) on Friday, 26 June 2026 on behalf of the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology.

Internet: Children

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether she plans to extend proposed restrictions to livestreaming and communication with strangers for child users to other high-risk functionalities including disappearing messages, the visibility of children's accounts to unknown users and in-app gifting.

Answer

The government recently announced restrictions on social media services offering their services to under-16s and wider services offering livestreaming or stranger communication to under-16s.

Combined with requiring more device level protections for children preventing the taking, sharing or viewing of nude images, this will make a difference tackling the key risks of disappearing messages.

Ofcom’s codes of practice also include recommendations regarding children’s account visibility, to support compliance with existing illegal harm and child safety duties. The government has committed to provide an update on any further restrictions in July.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
10895
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Children Internet Protection Safety
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk