Social Media: Eating Disorders and Self-harm
Commons · Question 117079 · Tabled 2 Mar 2026 · Department for Science, Innovation and Technology · Official record
Answered 10 Mar 2026
Question
Asked by Freddie van Mierlo
To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what steps the Department is taking to limit exposure of children to harmful content on a) self harm and b) eating disorders through social media algorithms.
Answer
Answered by Kanishka Narayan, 10 Mar 2026
The Online Safety Act requires services, including social media, to protect children from illegal, harmful, and age-inappropriate content.In scope services that are likely to be accessed by children must use highly effective age assurance to prevent child...