Written questions

Social Media: Animal Welfare

2026-07-12 · Department for Science, Innovation and Technology · 18507 · Official question

James McMurdock

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, what discussions she has had with regulated online platforms on preventing the spread of social media trends that encourage acts of animal cruelty.

Answer

The Government recognises concerns about online content and trends that encourage or promote acts of animal cruelty.The Government and Ofcom have identified animal cruelty as one of the priority kinds of illegal harm under the Online Safety Act regulatory...