Ministers say, get this right, do this right and we can prevent future tragedies a5 this right and we can prevent future tragedies as well. We have the Digital Economy minister saqib bhatti live on this programme taking your calls and i know you� ll have lots to say and i know you� ll have lots to say and i know you� ll have lots a5k lots to say and i know you� ll have lots ask to him as well. Get your calls and texts in. We have some News Headlines for you with richard foster. Good morning. With richard foster. Good morninu. �. , good morning. Age checks will be tou~hened good morning. Age checks will be toughened in good morning. Age checks will be toughened in from good morning. Age checks will be toughened in from the good morning. Age checks will be toughened in from the new good morning. Age checks will be toughened in from the new rules | good morning. Age checks will be l toughened in from the new rules to protect Children Online set out by the Media Regulator but critics say they haven� t gone far enough. The head of ofcom May Lenny Daw5 admit social Media Companies could contest the new rules every step of the way. E gates at passport control are working again after a nationwide fault caused huge delays at airports acro55 fault caused huge delays at airports across the uk last night. Some passengers waited more than two hours to have their passports checked manually. One man said he spent longer in the queue than he did on his flight from lisbon. Rail passengers are warned not to travel due to 5trike5 by Train Drivers from the a5lef union. They are on their second day of industrial action as part of a long running dispute of better pay and conditions. Tributes are being paid to The Game Of Thrones actor ian gelder who has died aged 7a. He played kevin lang estate in the Fantasy Series and also had roles in torchwood, doctor who and the bill. It husband ben daniels described him as a wonderful actor and an absolute rock to him. Bbc radio 5 live. They are terrifying figures about how many kids under 13 have seen violent energy and pornography a5 violent energy and pornography as well. We have so much to talk about and i want you to talk about it and i want you to talk to the minister as well who joins us now. I want you to talk to the minister as Well Whojoins us now. Saqib bhatti, digitaland as Well Whojoins us now. Saqib bhatti, digital and economy minister. , minister. Good morning. Good morning. Minister. Good morning. Good morning, thank minister. Good morning. Good morning, thank you minister. Good morning. Good morning, thank you for minister. Good morning. Good morning, thank you for having | minister. Good morning. Good morning, thank you for having me. It is really important you are here and i� m pleased that you are. I think the details of what you want to do and you are trying to do will emerge as we discussed this over the next half an hour. If you will allow me, i� d like to go straight to our whom you can talk, and there is a lot that want to talk to you. Sarah jane in portsmouth, good morning. Goad in portsmouth, good morning. Good mornin , in portsmouth, good morning. Good morning. Thank in portsmouth, good morning. Good morning, thank you in portsmouth, good morning. Good morning, thank you for in portsmouth, good morning. Good morning, thank you for having me on. It is a morning, thank you for having me on. It is a pleasure. And lucy in bristol it is a pleasure. And lucy in bristol as it is a pleasure. And lucy in bristol as well and katie in bournemouth, hi. Bristol as well and katie in bournemouth, hi. Katie, are you there . Hi, bournemouth, hi. Katie, are you there . Hi. Im bournemouth, hi. Katie, are you there . Hi, im here, bournemouth, hi. Katie, are you there . Hi, im here, yes. Bournemouth, hi. Katie, are you there . Hi, im here, yes. How. Bournemouth, hi. Katie, are you. There . Hi, im here, yes. How are ou . There . Hi, im here, yes. How are you . Im there . Hi, im here, yes. How are you . Im fine there . Hi, im here, yes. How are you . Im fine i there . Hi, im here, yes. How are you . Im fine. I want there . Hi, im here, yes. How are you . Im fine. I want you there . Hi, im here, yes. How are you . Im fine. I want you to there . Hi, im here, yes. How are you . Im fine. I want you to go. You . Im fine. I want you to go first. You . Im fine. I want you to go first well you . Im fine. I want you to go first. Well get you . Im fine. I want you to go first. Well get as you . Im fine. I want you to go first. Well get as many you . Im fine. I want you to go first. Well get as many of you . Im fine. I want you to gol first. Well get as many of your first. We� ll get as many of your questions and voices on. Katie, speak the minister. Hi. Questions and voices on. Katie, speak the minister. Questions and voices on. Katie, speak the minister. Hi, my name is katie, im speak the minister. Hi, my name is katie. Im a speak the minister. Hi, my name is katie, im a single speak the minister. Hi, my name is katie, im a single parent speak the minister. Hi, my name is katie, im a single parent and speak the minister. Hi, my name is katie, im a single parent and have| katie, im a single parent and have a 12yearold katie, im a single parent and have a 12 year old son katie, im a single parent and have a 12 year old son who katie, im a single parent and have a 12 year old son who insists katie, im a single parent and have a 12 year old son who insists on i a 12 year old son who insists on looking a12 year old son who insists on looking at a 12 year old son who insists on looking at tiktok a 12 year old son who insists on looking at tiktok and a 12 year old son who insists on looking at tiktok and utube a 12 year old son who insists on. Looking at tiktok and utube despite the fact looking at tiktok and utube despite the fact that looking at tiktok and utube despite the fact that ive looking at tiktok and utube despite the fact that ive given looking at tiktok and utube despite the fact that ive given him looking at tiktok and utube despite the fact that ive given him any the fact that ive given him any warnings the fact that ive given him any warnings that the fact that ive given him any warnings that he the fact that ive given him any warnings that he shouldnt the fact that ive given him any warnings that he shouldnt be. The fact that ive given him any warnings that he shouldnt be doing this. Warnings that he shouldnt be doing this how warnings that he shouldnt be doing this how will warnings that he shouldnt be doing this. How will ofcom warnings that he shouldnt be doing this. How will ofcom Regulate Warnings that he shouldnt be doing this. How will ofcom regulate the l this. How will ofcom regulate the use by this. How will ofcom regulate the use by minors this. How will ofcom regulate the use by minors because this. How will ofcom regulate the use by minors because there this. How will ofcom regulate the use by minors because there are i this. How will ofcom regulate the l use by minors because there are so many use by minors because there are so many dangerous use by minors because there are so many Dangerous Things use by minors because there are so many Dangerous Things out use by minors because there are so many Dangerous Things out there. I use by minors because there are so i many Dangerous Things out there. He many Dangerous Things out there. Hrtf is 12 many Dangerous Things out there. Is 12 and shouldnt be on it because i512 and shouldn� t be on it because the terms and conditions say 13. I will take another one, katie, but stay there and you can come back on what the minister says. Sarahjane in portsmouth, what is your point . The same, i have three kids, a 13yearoid, the same, i have three kids, a 13 year old, 12 and nine. They are on social 13 year old, 12 and nine. They are on social media, they do have phones. On social media, they do have phones, but from all the bad stuff out there phones, but from all the bad stuff out there on the internet, there is a lot out there on the internet, there is a lot of out there on the internet, there is a lot of good out there, inspiring content a lot of good out there, inspiring content from entrepreneurs, im an entrepreneur myself, and i think i love the entrepreneur myself, and i think i love the restrictions and potential tightening of the information for the Bad Tightening of the information for the bad stuff, but it is platforms like tiktok, instagram and facebook banned like tiktok, instagram and facebook banned completely, there will be a whole banned completely, there will be a whole generation that will not get the good whole generation that will not get the good motivational and inspiring content, the good motivational and inspiring content, what is your viewpoint on that . Content, what is your viewpoint on that . ,. ,. , content, what is your viewpoint on that . ,. , that . Grey areas. Saqib, ifi can call ou that . Grey areas. Saqib, ifi can call you by that . Grey areas. Saqib, ifi can call you by your that . Grey areas. Saqib, ifi can call you by your first that . Grey areas. Saqib, ifi can call you by your first name that . Grey areas. Saqib, ifi can call you by your first name if that . Grey areas. Saqib, ifi can| call you by your first name if you don� t mind. Call you by your first name if you dont mind call you by your first name if you dont mind. Age dont mind. Please do. Age verification, dont mind. Please do. Age verification, how dont mind. Please do. Age verification, how are dont mind. Please do. Age verification, how are you i dont mind. Please do. Age. Verification, how are you going dont mind. Please do. Age verification, how are you going to do that . , ~ verification, how are you going to do that . ,. ,. ,. , do that . Thank you for that question. Do that . Thank you for that question, katie. Do that . Thank you for that question, katie. This do that . Thank you for that question, katie. This is do that . Thank you for that question, katie. This is an l do that . Thank you for that question, katie. This is an issue that so many parents speak to me about. The first thing ijust that so many parents speak to me about. The first thing i just want to say is i am a parent myself and i don� t want parents to be on their own on this. Last year we passed the Online Safety act. It is a world leading piece of legislation, and i5 leading piece of legislation, and is designed to make sure social Media Companies and big Tech Companies, Search Engines, etc i held to their terms and conditions. Frankly, the regulator is ofcom, what has happened today significantly as part of the implementation of the legislation they are published a draft code of practice and fundamentally what that means there is a consultation starting today, Ofcom Have Given a0 recommendations laying out their expectations. It is im ortant laying out their expectations. It is important parents get a chance to talk to you about this and there is a specific form katie there. Under these recommendations, there are recommendations on Age Verification, how will katie� s12 year old be prevented from going online and seeing harmful content. How will that work . , that work . One of the recommendations,. That work . One of the recommendations, or| that work . One of the. Recommendations, or a that work . One of the recommendations, or a number that work . One of the recommendations, or a number of those recommendations are around how at Age Verification basically command how social Media Companies are now going to be expected to verify those people who access, and those children actually who access their online services. What they have suggested is where it is things like facial id, it might be credit checks, it might be a number of things, they are telling social Media Companies they must put in mechanisms to verify who accesses social media. I can tell you as the minister who speaks to social Media Companies, and tiktok was mentioned, i� m always very clear they must get on with the job and protect. Band im always very clear they must get on with the job and protect. On with the ob and protect. And if they donn on with the job and protect. And if they dont . One on with the job and protect. And if they dont . One of on with the job and protect. And if they dont . One of the on with the job and protect. And if they dont . One of the sanctions. On with the job and protect. And if they dont . One of the sanctions i i they don� t . One of the sanctions i read about this morning is a massive fine, attentive global revenue. Just give me a very quick answer and then we will come back to katie and sarah and other course. Give me a very quick example of the kind of transgression that would lead to a momentous fine. Tiara transgression that would lead to a momentous fine. Momentous fine. Two things i will sa on momentous fine. Two things i will say on that. Momentous fine. Two things i will say on that, first momentous fine. Two things i will say on that, first with momentous fine. Two things i will say on that, first with great momentous fine. Two things i will| say on that, first with great reward comes great responsibility and i� m clear to the social Media Companies that they must comply with the act and ofcom will have them to account. You� re right, it is a minimum of £18 million or 10 of global turnover, and there is criminal liability for senior managers, and there is also mechanisms for business interruption. So look, this is. Criminal liability for senior managers did you say . Absolutely. This is why it managers did you say . Absolutely. This is why it is managers did you say . Absolutely. This is why it is a managers did you say . Absolutely. This is why it is a leading managers did you say . Absolutely. This is why it is a leading Piece Managers did you say . Absolutely. This is why it is a leading piece of l this is why it is a leading piece of legislation. We are putting our teeth into this and we are saying get on with the job. I� ve always felt the social Media Companies need to get on with this. They shouldn� t have waited for the legislation, frankly. I know we will get onto sarah jane� s frankly. I know we will get onto sarahjane� s question but fundamentally there are lots of good things on the internet, lots of good things on the internet, lots of good things that social media can do but it has to be done in a safe way, if children are able access content around eating disorders or suicide, pornography or self harm content clearly that� s not ok. That is why we want to be more robust. Clearly thats not ok. That is why we want to be more robust. Criminal responsibility we want to be more robust. Criminal responsibility for we want to be more robust. Criminal responsibility for senior we want to be more robust. Criminal responsibility for senior managers,. Responsibility for senior managers, that� s interesting, that will surely concentrates on mines. Katie, by the time the legislation comes through, or whatever legislation gets through, your son will be 13. What are you afraid of him seeing . I think, i mean, there is so much, the school think, i mean, there is so much, the school he think, i mean, there is so much, The School He Sat think, i mean, there is so much, The School He Sat at the moment, there is bullying, school he sat at the moment, there is bullying, not necessarily for him, is bullying, not necessarily for him. But is bullying, not necessarily for him, but imjust is bullying, not necessarily for him, but im just worried that as he ets him, but im just worried that as he gets older him, but im just worried that as he gets older things are going to not improve gets older things are going to not improve. There is a huge worry for me that improve. There is a huge worry for me that he improve. There is a huge worry for me that he might see something came up me that he might see something came up on me that he might see something came up on facebook the other day for me, these up on facebook the other day for me, these two up on facebook the other day for me, these two random naked ladies, and i dont look these two random naked ladies, and i dont look at these two random naked ladies, and i dont look at naked ladies, so ive ot dont look at naked ladies, so ive got no dont look at naked ladies, so ive got no idea dont look at naked ladies, so ive got no idea why that came up and im ust got no idea why that came up and im just worried got no idea why that came up and im just worried. You got no idea why that came up and im just worried just worried. You have every entitlement just worried. You have every entitlement to just worried. You have every entitlement to do just worried. You have every entitlement to do that just worried. You have every entitlement to do that if just worried. You have every entitlement to do that if you j just worried. You have every entitlement to do that if you want to do that because you are an adult and he is not. That� s the point on this, isn� t it . As i said early on, a frightening amount of Young Children are seeing stuff like that. Thank you so much, katie. Lucy in bristol, what effect has social media had on your children . I� sre bristol, what effect has social media had on your children . Ive got two teenagers. Media had on your children . Ive got two teenagers, one media had on your children . Ive got two teenagers, one is media had on your children . Ive got two teenagers, one is nearly media had on your children . Ive got two teenagers, one is nearly 18 media had on your children . Ive got two teenagers, one is nearly 18 andl two teenagers, one is nearly 18 and one is two teenagers, one is nearly 18 and one is to two teenagers, one is nearly 18 and one is 16. And both of them have given one is 16. And both of them have given up one is 16. And both of them have given up their smartphones. My 18 year old gave up her smartphone when 18 year old gave up her smartphone when she 18 year old gave up her smartphone when she was 15 because she saw and knew that when she was 15 because she saw and knew that it when she was 15 because she saw and knew that it was damaging and effecting her Mental Health. It made her depressed, it fuelled. And now at 18 she her depressed, it fuelled. And now at 18 she couldnt be more happier at18 she couldnt be more happier without at 18 she couldnt be more happier without that tech in her world and my 16 year old, without that tech in her world and my16 year old, he has without that tech in her world and my 16 year old, he has literally ust my 16 year old, he has literally just given my 16 year old, he has literally just given up his phone and said to take it just given up his phone and said to take it away, dont want it. He cails take it away, dont want it. He calls it take it away, dont want it. He calls it his take it away, dont want it. He calls it his burner phone, so he has a burner calls it his burner phone, so he has a burner phone now. He is coming to terms a burner phone now. He is coming to terms with a burner phone now. He is coming to terms with not having a smartphone. This is terms with not having a smartphone. This is all terms with not having a smartphone. This is all their choice, this is not this is all their choice, this is not my this is all their choice, this is not my choice. Do this is all their choice, this is not my choice. This is all their choice, this is not my choice. Do they not feel excluded . Not my choice. Do they not feel excluded . Do not my choice. Do they not feel excluded . Do they not my choice. Do they not feel excluded . Do they feel not my choice. Do they not feel excluded . Do they feel left not my choice. Do they not feell excluded . Do they feel left out . Yes. My eldest, she doesn� t, she is yes. My eldest, she doesnt, she is quite yes. My eldest, she doesnt, she is quite unique yes. My eldest, she doesnt, she is quite unique in lots of different ways quite unique in lots of different ways. She wasnt at mainstream school, ways. She wasnt at mainstream school, so ways. She wasnt at mainstream school, so she had the opportunity to do school, so she had the opportunity to do that school, so she had the opportunity to do that. And it not a factor in the same to do that. And it not a factor in the same way that it might do with a teenager the same way that it might do with a teenager that is at school and all Their Teenager that is at school and all their friends are on snapchat. My 16 year old, all his friends are on snapchat 16 year old, all his friends are on snapchat. He has said, ive got it on my snapchat. He has said, ive got it on my computer. So he still on the computer, on my computer. So he still on the computer, still on tablets or things in that computer, still on tablets or things in that way, computer, still on tablets or things in that way, but theyjust dont want in that way, but theyjust dont want a in that way, but theyjust dont want a smartphone in their world. 0k. Want a smartphone in their world. 0k~ saqib want a smartphone in their world. 0k. Saqib bhatti, Digital Economy ok. Saqib bhatti, Digital Economy minister, there is a Mental Health crisis, for our young people, various factors playing into that, obviously. But social media at its worst is feeling that pernicious fire, isn� t it . This worst is feeling that pernicious fire, isnt it . Worst is feeling that pernicious fire, isnt it . As i said there is a balance to fire, isnt it . As i said there is a balance to be fire, isnt it . As i said there is a balance to be struck fire, isnt it . As i said there is a balance to be struck here. Fire, isnt it . As i said there is a | balance to be struck here. Social media can do many good things. But actually, nicky, when i speak to academics around this, they often say to me there is no obvious causal link. Personally, idon� t say to me there is no obvious causal link. Personally, i don� t accept that. We are looking at ways at trying to understand that causal link better. Clearly we understand there is a risk analysis. I don� t want parents to be on their own and it� s great to see what sarah jane� s children are doing around smartphones. They have obviously recognised that. It is hugely difficult place for parents. My eldest is three at the moment and i dread the time they have to go to school and that pressure comes on me and i have to make thatjudgment and decision. It is honestly really difficult. The Department For Education recently set out guidance to schools around banning smartphones in schools and some schools are doing that. I have a personal view on that, i think it� s a very good thing to do. Because it means children can stay focused. By the way, i also get parents talking to me about children having access to me about children having access to phones, because for safety purposes, i had a friend of mine talk to me about it the other day and there has to be a balance struck there. This is why the Online Safety act really is important and i really appreciate the opportunity to talk about it today because i want parents to be reassured that there is a robust piece of legislation we are working at pace with ofcom to implement. Bud are working at pace with ofcom to implement are working at pace with ofcom to implement. And you are talking to the most important implement. And you are talking to the most important people, implement. And you are talking to| the most important people, youre the most important people, you� re talking to parents, you are talking to listeners, you are talking to voters, and you need those ofcom does list some of the ways, and you have referenced facial recognition that social Media Companies could check the age of users. Photo id such as passports, facial age estimation, reusable digital id services where an external Company Provides Age Verification. Loads of stuff to get into there. Possibly haven� t got time for it but it is food for thought. Good morning. Haven� t got time for it but it is food forthought. Good morning. Lzre food for thought. Good morning. Ive missed food forthought. Good morning. Ive missed most of the conversation but i missed most of the conversation but i only missed most of the conversation but i only have missed most of the conversation but i only have snippets of what ive seen i only have snippets of what ive seen on i only have snippets of what ive seen on the text. It starts with us at home seen on the text. It starts with us at home educating the children as to the safety at home educating the children as to the Safety Element of it and regulating the devices they are given, regulating the devices they are given, le, regulating the devices they are given, ie, tablets and not phones at such a given, ie, tablets and not phones at such a young age, my son is seven going such a young age, my son is seven going to such a young age, my son is seven going to eight, half an hour in the morning. Going to eight, half an hour in the morning, my son is ten, the same. They morning, my son is ten, the same. They have morning, my son is ten, the same. They have their tablets, they other times, they have their tablets, they other times, they know the limits. After school, times, they know the limits. After school, when everything is done, but it is all school, when everything is done, but it is all regulated by us strictly. So for it is all regulated by us strictly. So for example, if they watch youtube so for example, if they watch youtube they are not allowed to watch youtube they are not allowed to watch short videos at all because it comes watch short videos at all because it comes with watch short videos at all because it comes with a band of 24 hours, electronic comes with a band of 24 hours, electronic devices, they can only play with electronic devices, they can only play with their toys. Electronic devices, they can only play with their toys. What you mean b short play with their toys. What you mean by short videos play with their toys. What you mean by short videos on play with their toys. What you mean by short videos on youtube . Play with their toys. What you mean by short videos on youtube . For. By short videos on youtube . For people who might not be tech savvy. Short videos, in my opinion, extremely short videos, in my opinion, extremely nefarious in the way the algorithms work. They drive content that is algorithms work. They drive content that is unsuitable for Young Children. That is unsuitable for Young Children, for young and there is no way of children, for young and there is no way of obstructing the content that comes way of obstructing the content that comes through so theyre completely banned comes through so theyre completely banned. You cant turn them off either~ banned. You cant turn them off either. ,. Banned. You cant turn them off either you either. You are right. You physically either. You are right. You physically cant either. You are right. You physically cant turn either. You are right. You physically cant turn them either. You are right. You i physically cant turn them off either. You are right. You physically cant turn them off from coming physically cant turn them off from coming up physically cant turn them off from coming up in the app. So they have no access coming up in the app. So they have no access to coming up in the app. So they have no access to social media. They can literally no access to social media. They can literally use no access to social media. They can literally use youtube, disney, netflix, literally use youtube, disney, netflix, the kids section is there, and thats it. They know they are not allowed a mobile phone. If we go to dinner not allowed a mobile phone. If we go to dinner and not allowed a mobile phone. If we go to dinnerand we not allowed a mobile phone. If we go to dinner and we arent, they are eating to dinner and we arent, they are eating their to dinner and we arent, they are eating theirdinner, to dinner and we arent, they are eating their dinner, they play, they can sit eating their dinner, they play, they can sit down while we are out, while we are can sit down while we are out, while we are eating and have the phone then but we are eating and have the phone then but it we are eating and have the phone then but it is all restricted and it comes then but it is all restricted and it comes from us first. When the right behaviour comes from us first. When the right behaviour is comes from us first. When the right behaviour is their first from us, it then behaviour is their first from us, it then Falls Behaviour is their first from us, it then falls on the regulators who unfortunately are over a decade behind unfortunately are over a decade behind. They are too slow to react. Too slow behind. They are too slow to react. Too slow to behind. They are too slow to react. Too slow to implement things. And unfortunately, you have lost a whole generation unfortunately, you have lost a whole generation of people for poor regulation and fear of upsetting these regulation and fear of upsetting these companies that generate billions these companies that generate billions of pounds profit a year and continue billions of pounds profit a year and continue to billions of pounds profit a year and continue to cut moderators and you end up continue to cut moderators and you end up with continue to cut moderators and you end up with more harmful content. Which end up with more harmful content. Which is end up with more harmful content. Which is driving an entire generation of young people with poor mental generation of young people with poor Mental Health. And youve got a generation of people who interact through generation of people who interact through a generation of people who interact through a screen. Through a screen. Whether it be drivin it through a screen. Whether it be driving it or through a screen. Whether it be driving it or causing through a screen. Whether it be driving it or causing it, through a screen. Whether it be driving it or causing it, thats i driving it or causing it, that� s interesting. Driving it or causing it, thats interesting driving it or causing it, thats interesting. We driving it or causing it, thats interesting. We have l driving it or causing it, that� s interesting. Bath. We have heard interesting. Both. We have heard from the minister interesting. Both. We have heard from the minister the interesting. Both. We have heard from the minister the concerns. I need to move it on but you have made some very important points. Thank you so much. The algorithms, instagram, i� m flooded with beatles content, so i kind of get that. Who have we got . Let� s see, anna in north london. Good morning. Faraway and speak to the minister. My daughter is on a psychiatric unit. I would daughter is on a psychiatric unit. I would say daughter is on a psychiatric unit. I would say that she is completely addicted would say that she is completely addicted to her smartphone. I am begging addicted to her smartphone. I am begging the psychiatric unit to take smartphones away from not only my daughter smartphones away from not only my daughter but the entire population of young daughter but the entire population of young people who are on the ward. Im of young people who are on the ward. Lrn not of young people who are on the ward. Im not saying take away all means of communication at all. That is not what of communication at all. That is not what lrn of communication at all. That is not what im saying. Im saying very clearly what im saying. Im saying very clearly please replace smartphones with brick clearly please replace smartphones with brick phones so that these people. With brick phones so that these people, these children, can communicate with people who they trust and communicate with people who they trust and arent communicating with an outside trust and arent communicating with an outside world that is actively encouraging them to kill themselves and actively saying to them on Psychiatric Wards that they will never Psychiatric Wards that they will never get better. The phrase, there are so never get better. The phrase, there are so many never get better. The phrase, there are so many different hashtag here but one are so many different hashtag here but one of are so many different hashtag here but one of them is hashtag psych ward but one of them is hashtag psych ward and but one of them is hashtag psych ward and what is happening is that all these ward and what is happening is that all these children in desperately vulnerable situations are actually sharing vulnerable situations are actually sharing information, photographs of themselves, and guided tours of the ward, themselves, and guided tours of the ward, dancing to music when they are stick thin. Ward, dancing to music when they are stick thin, touching themselves. Im going stick thin, touching themselves. Im going to stick thin, touching themselves. Im going to have to be graphic because i going to have to be graphic because i dont going to have to be graphic because i dont think people understand how serious i dont think people understand how serious this i dont think people understand how serious this is. What is also going on is serious this is. What is also going on is that serious this is. What is also going on is that actually is a parent i have on is that actually is a parent i have logged on and i am tracking my daughter have logged on and i am tracking my daughter as have logged on and i am tracking my daughter as a 15 year old. And as a daughter as a15 year old. And as a Result Daughter as a15 year old. And as a result of daughter as a 15 year old. And as a result of that, i am seeing some of the Content Result of that, i am seeing some of the content that the girls on her unit are the content that the girls on her unit are sharing. And what they are saying unit are sharing. And what they are saying is unit are sharing. And what they are saying is that they are terrified about saying is that they are terrified about going into adult services. Why am i telling you this . Because i know am i telling you this . Because i know as am i telling you this . Because i know as much as the professional staff on know as much as the professional staff on the ward about this girls situation staff on the ward about this girls situation. This is meant to be about confidentiality. We have all these different confidentiality. We have all these different hoops we have to jump through different hoops we have to jump through when it comes to the nhs and getting through when it comes to the nhs and getting information out. And yet believe getting information out. And yet believe me, if getting information out. And yet believe me, if i want to find anything believe me, if i want to find anything out about whats going on with my anything out about whats going on with my daughter i look online on tiktok with my daughter i look online on tiktok and with my daughter i look online on tiktok and i see it. I have recently gone tiktok and i see it. I have recently gone on tiktok and i see it. I have recently gone on tiktok as well and literally it is wall to wall, as i log on as a 15yearold. It is wall to wall, as i log on as a 15 year old, and im talking about today, 15 year old, and im talking about today, yesterday when tiktok says that it today, yesterday when tiktok says that it is today, yesterday when tiktok says that it is doing everything it can to take that it is doing everything it can to take things down, it isnt. One of my to take things down, it isnt. One of my daughters friends told me about of my daughters friends told me about one of my daughters friends told me about one of the other girls who was on the about one of the other girls who was on the unit about one of the other girls who was on the unit and isnt there any more. On the unit and isnt there any more. And on the unit and isnt there any more, and she said this girl had blood more, and she said this girl had Blood Running down her face because she had Blood Running down her face because she had scarred her face. My daughters friend asked tiktok to take this daughters friend asked tiktok to take this post down five times. They didnt take this post down five times. They didnt. ,. , take this post down five times. They didnt. ,. ~. ,. , didnt. Ok, listen, and akamai have a response didnt. Ok, listen, and akamai have a response from didnt. Ok, listen, and akamai have a response from tiktok didnt. Ok, listen, and akamai have a response from tiktok which i didnt. Ok, listen, and akamai have a response from tiktok which it i a response from tiktok which it behoves me to do. But you have made some really telling points. You have also pointed out a particular scenario that is not uncommon anna, i have a response. Iwas really disturbed hearing that, but is down to algorithms, isn� t it . These are incredibly sophisticated bits of software that have been developed to provide you with the content that they think you want. How are you going to deal with that . Can i first say, anna, thank you for sharing that. I� ve been Hearing Stories from parents this morning and the Secretary Of State was on bbc earlier, and these are emotional stories. Some parents are going through some of the most unimaginable, harrowing experiences. Today the reassurance i would like to give is as part of ofcom� s announcement today, one of the requirements we are putting on social Media Companies is exactly that, which is to look at their algorithms and take away harmful content, whether it is around eating disorders or self harm, or suicide inducing content, take that away from those people or children under 18, and they have to do that. And if they don� t do that they will be held to their sanctions. Because it� s just completely unacceptable. There is no excuse for it. They need to do it. Frankly, they should have done it. Frankly, they should have done it before. When i was a backbencher i talked about it in parliament, i talked about racism on platforms, especially after the euros a few years ago. And my argument as it has been the same, there is no reason why you need to wait for the legislation to do the right thing. Businesses have to be a force for goodin businesses have to be a force for good in society. Businesses have to be a force for good in society businesses have to be a force for good in society. They are on watch, these Big Companies good in society. They are on watch, these Big Companies have good in society. They are on watch, these Big Companies have been i good in society. They are on watch, these Big Companies have been putj good in society. They are on watch, i these Big Companies have been put on watch, that� s interesting. Hello, nick in harpenden, you are very welcome to the nation� s phone in. Speak to the minister. Welcome to the nations phone in. Speak to the minister. Speak to the minister. Hello. The ministers have speak to the minister. Hello. The ministers have done speak to the minister. Hello. The ministers have done their speak to the minister. Hello. The ministers have done theirjob i speak to the minister. Hello. The ministers have done theirjob so. Ministers have done theirjob so thankfully ministers have done theirjob so thankfully it is now going to be down thankfully it is now going to be down to thankfully it is now going to be down to ofcom to hopefully find some of these down to ofcom to hopefully find some of these large tech firms. Fine. We had of these large tech firms. Fine. We had an of these large tech firms. Fine. We had an experience of how quickly these we had an experience of how quickly these algorithms work. We sat down with the these algorithms work. We sat down with the boys and did the lets talk a book with the boys and did the lets talk a book about girls and babies, girls. A book about girls and babies, girls, boys and babies, and a couple of days girls, boys and babies, and a couple of days later girls, boys and babies, and a couple of days later one of my boys is on the sofa of days later one of my boys is on the sofa having a look and i disappeared and he looked up the word sex disappeared and he looked up the word sex and the perfectly natural curious word sex and the perfectly natural curious nine year old. And then that very quickly curious nine year old. And then that very quickly led on to a pop up. We think very quickly led on to a pop up. We think he very quickly led on to a pop up. We think he then kind of came out of that and think he then kind of came out of that and a think he then kind of came out of that and a couple of minutes later he searched for people having sex, which he searched for people having sex, which then he searched for people having sex, which then took him to an x rated site which then took him to an x rated site that which then took him to an x rated site. That was within two minutes. And the site. That was within two minutes. And the Tech Companies know what these and the Tech Companies know what these algorithms do. They have an ability these algorithms do. They have an ability to these algorithms do. They have an ability to stop them today. They do not have ability to stop them today. They do not have to ability to stop them today. They do not have to wait 18 months. I was amused not have to wait 18 months. I was amused to not have to wait 18 months. I was amused to hear the minister say earlier amused to hear the minister say earlier on amused to hear the minister say earlier on she squoze and squoze them earlier on she squoze and squoze them down, which is incredibly good use of them down, which is incredibly good use of language, in terms of the time use of language, in terms of the time frame. My wife is probably far more time frame. My wife is probably far more aware time frame. My wife is probably far more aware than i was but this is the first more aware than i was but this is the first time i realised just how evil these the first time i realised just how evil these algorithms and this technology is. Evil these algorithms and this technolo is. ,. ,. , technology is. Evil, nineyearold, Lookinu Technology is. Evil, nineyearold, looking up technology is. Evil, nineyearold, looking up Sex Technology is. Evil, nineyearold, looking up sex perfectly technology is. Evil, nineyearold,| looking up sex perfectly innocently, trying to find out what it means and then being led into this cavernous world that they should not be in. Minister, i hope you have time to address that. I know you are limited and it is really appreciated you are there. That is a great example. Speak to nick. Nick, thank you for sharing that. I think when i was listening to you i was reflecting on how social media has changed, certainly since i came on to facebook, i was in my early 205. A5 on to facebook, i was in my early 205. As you said, your child went on there very innocently to look for information in a safe way. It is just unacceptable. I welcome ofcom� s focus on the algorithm. A5 just unacceptable. I welcome ofcom� s focus on the algorithm. As a backbencher i focused on this as well. I think the algorithm absolutely need to be looked at. It is not ok for the social Media Companies to say they can� t do it when they have the financial resource and technical know how to do that. Resource and technical knowhow to do that. ,. ,. ,. , resource and technical knowhow to dothat. ,. , do that. There is a lot of focus on tiktok and do that. There is a lot of focus on tiktok and instagram do that. There is a lot of focus on tiktok and instagram and do that. There is a lot of focus on tiktok and instagram and those. Do that. There is a lot of focus on i tiktok and instagram and those ones. I tiktok and instagram and those ones. I mean tiktok and instagram and those ones. I mean this tiktok and instagram and those ones. I mean, this is google, just a search i mean, this is google, just a search engine. I mean, this is google, ust a search engine. I i mean, this is google, ust a search enaine. ,. , search engine. The Search Engines are covered search engine. The Search Engines are covered by search engine. The Search Engines are covered by the search engine. The Search Engines are covered by the Online Search engine. The Search Engines are covered by the Online Safety i search engine. The Search Engines| are covered by the Online Safety act as well. And by the way, i should just say this, because nicky, you have Artificial Intelligence coming in as well moving at pace. The way we did the legislation is basically technology agnostic. So even as technology agnostic. So even as technology develops, the requirements, the legal requirements on those companies is going to be exactly the same, whether it is on Search Services or social media. But you are absolutely right, your child should be able to do it in a safe way. You should be able to have those conversations in a safe way and that� s why today is really important because for me as a parent it gives ofcom� s approach, it really gives parents support. You talked about. I also heard the section where they used the word squoze and squoze, the truth is we are pushing hard, even on ofcom. There is a balance to be struck because the challenges that though social Media Companies with big pockets and legal teams, but if we do this too quickly, or if we leave loopholes they could do legal challenges and that� s why there is a little bit of time before the implementation gap. Thank you very much. Another very important caller, joe in southampton. A quick one, you are with us until 9 30am, which is good news. Facial recognition, lots of people asking about that. We will get back to that in a second. Facial recognition, you mentioned credit checks. How does that square . Credit checks, minors, how does that work . Ofcom have set it out, there is a requirement on Age Verification on social Media Companies. How they go about that, it will be on them. But it is on them to uphold their terms and conditions. So that� s the key bit here, and they go about that. When they talked about credit checks, i suspect what they are talking about is parental consent around that and that� s what they are talking about. Around Age Verification and facial id, all those different aspects, these technologies are there and ofcom� s approach is if you are under 18 they should apply uniformly and i think that� s really important. Should apply uniformly and i think thats really important. Should apply uniformly and i think thats really important. Thank you. Secretary of thats really important. Thank you. Secretary of state thats really important. Thank you. Secretary of state michelle thats really important. Thank you. I Secretary Of State michelle donelan, your boss, describing it as a wild west, not an inaccurate description in many people� s minds. But then there is much beauty and benefit in that wild west as well. Joe in southampton, hello. That wild west as well. Joe in southampton, hello. Good morning. Good morning southampton, hello. Good morning. Good morning. The southampton, hello. Good morning. Good morning. The minister southampton, hello. Good morning. Good morning. The minister is i good morning. The minister is listening, which is all good. What would you like to say . Back to algorithms, is it . It would you like to say . Back to algorithms, is it . Algorithms, is it . It is kind of, eah. Algorithms, is it . It is kind of, yeah and algorithms, is it . It is kind of, yeah and just algorithms, is it . It is kind of, yeah. And just the algorithms, is it . It is kind of, yeah. And just the general i algorithms, is it . It is kind of, | yeah. And just the general kind algorithms, is it . It is kind of, i yeah. And just the general kind of control yeah. And just the general kind of control over social media. My daughter control over social media. My daughter is 11, she is due to start secondary daughter is 11, she is due to start Secondary School in september and we have really Secondary School in september and we have really held out on letting her have really held out on letting her have a have really held out on letting her have a phone, despite most of her friends have a phone, despite most of her friends having them because we are really friends having them because we are really conscious of how dangerous and bad really conscious of how dangerous and bad they can be. But uppishly shes and bad they can be. But uppishly shes going to be catching a bus, shes going to be catching a bus, she is shes going to be catching a bus, she is going to have a little bit more she is going to have a little bit more independence obviously shes going more independence obviously shes going to more independence obviously shes going to be more independence obviously shes going to be catching a bus. We want to know going to be catching a bus. We want to know where she is. She will not have to know where she is. She will not have social to know where she is. She will not have social media but she will have things have social media but she will have things like have social media but she will have things like whatsapp. It is more about things like whatsapp. It is more about what her friends see. We can impose about what her friends see. We can impose all about what her friends see. We can impose all the parental restrictions we want impose all the parental restrictions we want to impose all the parental restrictions we want to but if she sat next to a friend we want to but if she sat next to a friend on we want to but if she sat next to a friend on the bus whose parents dont friend on the bus whose parents dont really care and just let them have dont really care and just let them have free dont really care and just let them have free reign over social media, because have free reign over social media, because it have free reign over social media, because it is have free reign over social media, because it is so easy for children to access because it is so easy for children to access social media without these checks in place, she has already disclosed to her in place, she has already disclosed to her teacher that she feels that she is to her teacher that she feels that she is fat to her teacher that she feels that she is fat. She is absolutely not, shes she is fat. She is absolutely not, shes beautiful, she is a completely healthy shes beautiful, she is a completely healthy weight. That shes beautiful, she is a completely healthy weight healthy weight. That is heartbreaking. Healthy weight. That is heartbreaking. It i healthy weight. That is | heartbreaking. It really healthy weight. That is i heartbreaking. It really is, it healthy weight. That is heartbreaking. It really is, it has shattered as. Heartbreaking. It really is, it has shattered as. My heartbreaking. It really is, it has shattered as. My concern heartbreaking. It really is, it has shattered as. My concern is i heartbreaking. It really is, it has shattered as. My concern is the | shattered as. My concern is the algorithms, and while i appreciate what an algorithms, and while i appreciate what an early caller said, there are so many what an early caller said, there are so many positive things on social media so many positive things on social media online and on google, things she can media online and on google, things she can look for, that are aspirational and fabulous things, unfortunately, it is so easily one click unfortunately, it is so easily one click and unfortunately, it is so easily one click and you are down a rabbit hole and how click and you are down a rabbit hole and how do click and you are down a rabbit hole and how do you get back out of that algorithm . And how do you get back out of that algorithm . It terrifies us. She wouldnt algorithm . It terrifies us. She wouldnt have a mobile phone until she is wouldnt have a mobile phone until she is 18 wouldnt have a mobile phone until she is 18 if wouldnt have a mobile phone until she is 18 if i wouldnt have a mobile phone until she is 18 if i had my way. But equally, she is 18 if i had my way. But equally, you dont want to exclude your children and for her to be pushed your children and for her to be pushed aside. It is so difficult to know pushed aside. It is so difficult to know what pushed aside. It is so difficult to know what to do as parents. It is only know what to do as parents. It is only because we care. Of know what to do as parents. It is only because we care. Of course. I know the minister only because we care. Of course. I know the minister has only because we care. Of course. I know the minister has to only because we care. Of course. I know the minister has to go. I only because we care. Of course. I know the minister has to go. But. Know the minister has to go. But again, another superb call. Keep them coming. We are staying on with this and we are going to talk about it further. I know you have to go, obviously it is a busy day for you, saky bhati. But you are one click away from going into the rabbit hole, as i said earlier on saqib bhatti. But are we at a Point Of No Return . It is out there, it is too late. Thanks for a really good session, i really appreciated talking to parents. I don� t think we are at the Point Of No Return. That is why the legislation has been put in. It took almost six years to put it in, and we are absolutely determined in this department, and in this government, to make sure that parents have the support they need to deal with the challenges of today. It was very emotional, hearing the child say anything of that sort. That is why the algorithm aspect of this is really important. We have also set aside £2. 5 million of literacy and education, because that also plays a huge part. We are working robustly on this, we want to make sure. My final message to the social Media Companies and Tech Companies, if you don� t do this, we will come for you and ofcom will come for you. That� s really important. We want to make sure the online world is safe for children and we want our children to have a bright future. Fundamentally, thatis have a bright future. Fundamentally, that is what this comes down to. Thank you for coming on, it is an important day. The Digital Economy minister, saqib bhatti, you are welcome anytime. Taking calls, speaking to parents. Anna, do you have confidence this will be effective . Have confidence this will be effective . ,. ,. , effective . The problem we have, with Eve Da Effective . The problem we have, with every day that effective . The problem we have, with every day that passes effective . The problem we have, with every day that passes we effective . The problem we have, with every day that passes we lose effective . The problem we have, with every day that passes we lose more i every day that passes we lose more children. I� m very worried my daughter is going to be one of them. I would urge all parents to absolutely Pay Attention to the rules that you can have her own controls, around smartphones and things. Ultimately, the only way in which you can really make a difference is to choose not to give our children smartphones until they are mature enough to really deal
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