On Monday 26th February Damien Moore, MP for Southport, attended the Parliamentary launch of a report, Safety Net, which looks into the impact of cyberbullying on mental health.
The report has found that social media companies are “marking their own homework” and is calling for more transparency and accountability to make social media a safer place for young people.
The report is the result of an inquiry, led by Alex Chalk MP in partnership with YoungMinds and The Children’s Society, and makes a series of recommendations to social media companies and Government, such as ensuring that social media have clear rules of use, with tangible consequences for those who break them.
Cyberbullying takes many forms, the inquiry heard, from mass unfollowings of people, to persistent messaging or sharing embarrassing photos or information online. Almost half (47%) of young people surveyed had experienced threatening, intimidating or nasty messages via social media, email or text. Worryingly, almost two thirds of (63%) of young people who had been cyberbullied said that they would not tell their parents if they experienced something upsetting online. [1]
The inquiry took oral and written evidence from young people – including an online survey of 1,089 young people aged 11-25 – social media companies, mental health experts and children’s charities in order to explore the impact of cyberbullying on children and young people’s mental health. Its panel included cross-party MPs and vlogger Grace Victory, who has spoken out about abuse she has received online.
Damien Moore said:
“It’s clear from this report that young people are feeling let down by social media companies and this simply isn’t good enough. I hope that social media companies and the Government seriously consider these recommendations, and take action to make social media safe for young people using it.”
Sarah Brennan, Chief Executive of YoungMinds, said
“With so much of young people’s everyday lives involving the online world, it’s crucial that it is a place that young people can feel safe and enjoy being part of. We need to see platforms creating age-appropriate content for younger users, as well as parents and teachers speaking to young people early about how to respond positively to the online world, and what to do if they come across upsetting content. But most of all, this inquiry has shown loud and clear that it’s time social media companies sit up and take action to tackle cyberbullying and promote good mental health on their platforms.”
The Children’s Society Chief Executive Matthew Reed said:
“The inquiry has heard from young people describing cyberbullying as ‘inescapable’, and in the most extreme cases it has pushed some to the verge of suicide. But we’ve also heard about the positives that social media brings for young people. Social media is part and parcel of teenage life and we all need to support young people to stay safe online, including better education in schools and information for parents.”
The report comes ahead of the government’s response to its consultation on the internet safety strategy, which is expected soon.
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