OFCOM (Duty regarding Prevention of Serious Self-harm and Suicide) Bill [HL]

Key Points

• Creates a duty for Ofcom to establish a unit to advise the Secretary of State on the use of social media platforms in relation to serious self-harm and suicide-risk activities.
• The unit’s role is to inform government policy and potential regulatory actions in this area.
• Includes a broad “connected purposes” provision allowing related measures.
• Originated in the Lords and currently at the 3rd-reading stage, with prior readings and a discharge of the committee stage completed.
• Targets Ofcom, social media platforms and policymakers, with implications for people at risk of self-harm or suicide and their families.

Progress

The bill is at the 3rd Reading in the Lords. It has progressed through the 1st and 2nd readings and the committee stage (discharge of the Order of Commitment) and has not yet moved to the Commons or received royal assent.