Freddie van Mierlo MP - Parliament Clip

Please join him in congratulating that school but unfortunately what we've seen today is a tragedy of the Commons. With a weakening of this legislation, we couldn't overcome the collective action problem even in this chamber to deliver a tougher regulation and we need that tougher regulation to stop the misuse of technology and keep the next generation safe not reviews on a promise to plan research I am happy today but I note that reform including the member for Clacton have decided not to grace us with their prevalence. If they cared so much for the protection of our children, they would be here. In conversations I've had with friends of school-aged children, I learned of apps like Roblox that allow any person to open a conversation with another user of the game. I also heard from campaigners of how even Spotify can be used to share explicit images and conduct online grooming. Tame, distraught that their children who were groomed by predators over social media. However when reported to the police of the crime they were told that there is nothing that could be done because a virtual private network was used. Technology is consistently evolving and we must keep informed of its developments. Parents must be informed of the risks facing children using social media though it is a way forward. We are all aware that social media companies are making huge profits on this activity including introducing a social media levy to increase tax on these companies is an obvious choice. Tax collected from here could then be used to support children to fund mental health services. Social media is causing a detrimental impact on child well-being the least of which we can do is use its profits to mitigate some of the damage. Secondly, the digital age of consent must be increased to 16. 13 is too young for a child to consent to the collection and processing and storing of their data. This wouldn't ban children for under 16 from using social media but force social media companies to make applications safer and child-friendly for those under 16 I have a daughter she is just 14 months old but already she is being targeted by shows that seek to manipulate babies brains and avoid losing their attention during those shows it shows just how pernicious this online space has become and I fear what the online space will look like in 10 years time and as a father we must act