Labour MP Emily Darlington has cautioned that Nigel Farage’s opposition to the Online Safety Act could result in children having access to inappropriate content on their devices. Darlington, a member of the tech committee in Westminster, emphasized the importance of the bill in safeguarding children from online predators and highlighted the real-life consequences of online abuse.
Addressing concerns about catfishing, Darlington, who represents Milton Keynes Central, revealed that it is a prevalent issue affecting young individuals in her community. She expressed her exclusive thoughts to The Mirror, stating that the Labour Government aims to restrict access to explicit content, contrasting Farage’s stance on repealing the online safety act.
Darlington raised questions about the implications of allowing unrestricted access to explicit material on the internet for young individuals. She underscored the necessity of regulations like the Online Safety Act in protecting both free speech and children from potential harm.
Reform UK has opposed the legislation, arguing that it infringes on free speech and fails to adequately protect children. Darlington, who has confronted online adversaries in the past, shared disturbing accounts of catfishing incidents, pointing out the risks posed by strangers approaching young people online.
According to Darlington, a significant portion of grooming activities now occurs online, leading to severe consequences for vulnerable youth. She stressed that online harms can extend beyond the digital realm, impacting the lives of many young individuals. Despite attempts to gather input from Reform UK, they did not provide any comments.