Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill

Lord Clement-Jones moved Motion A1, as an amendment to Motion A, at end to insert “, and do propose Amendment 38Z22 to Commons Amendment 38Z17, Amendment 38Z23 to Commons Amendment 38Z18, Amendment 38Z24 to Commons Amendment 38Z20, and Amendment 38Z25 to Commons Amendment 38Z21—
38Z22 As an amendment to Commons Amendment 38Z17, in inserted paragraph (b), after “ways” insert “, and
(c) compliance with—
(i) any Codes of Practice published by OFCOM pertaining to the safety of children as users of internet services, and
(ii) the Children’s Code published by the Information Commissioner’s Office, and
(d) the risk of exposure of children to—
(i) risks of serious harm, manipulation, sycophancy or exploitation,
(ii) illegal content or primary priority content,
(iii) serious loss of privacy, and
(iv) contact from strangers.”
38Z23 As an amendment to Commons Amendment 38Z18, in inserted subsection (8A)(b), after “consultation” insert “, and to any representations made directly to the Secretary of State’s Department before the first regulations under subsection (1) are laid before Parliament, by members of the public in relation to children in imminent danger arising from their contact with an internet service.
(8B) The Secretary of State, in exercising the power under subsection (1), must have regard to the outcomes of a review of OFCOM’s powers, under Part 7 of this Act, to enforce regulations made under that subsection.
(8C) The review described in subsection (8B) must be completed within six months of the day on which the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Act 2026 is passed.
(8D) In conducting the review described in subsection (8B), the Secretary of State must give consideration to—
(a) OFCOM’s ability to prevent serious harm to children as users of internet services, including with the use of powers set out in sections 144 to 147 (business disruption measures);
(b) the relevant views of—
(i) legal experts,
(ii) online safety experts,
(iii) relevant academics,
(iv) relevant charities including children’s and women’s charities,
(v) OFCOM,
(vi) Parliament, and
(vii) any other persons the Secretary of State deems relevant;
(c) whether OFCOM’s powers under Part 7 are adequately supported by any existing provisions relating to—
(i) injunctive relief, and
(ii) individual redress,
to enable OFCOM to enforce those regulations effectively or whether further such provisions are necessary to enable that enforcement.”
38Z24 As an amendment to Commons Amendment 38Z20, in inserted subsection (1A), leave out “12” and insert “six”
38Z25 As an amendment to Commons Amendment 38Z21, in inserted paragraph (3)(b), leave out “six” and insert “three””