Dear Editor,
Two recent court cases in the US have marked significant moments in the battle to keep young people safe online.
First, Meta was fined hundreds of millions of dollars for misleading users over the safety of its platforms for children. Then Meta and Google were sued for damaging a woman’s mental health in childhood through addictive platform designs.
These cases highlight how children and families are being failed by tech companies, who continue to expose young users to sexually explicit material, contact with dangerous adults and other preventable risks.
The online world is a central part of children’s lives. They learn, play and socialise online, and enjoy many benefits from social media, messaging apps, gaming and other digital platforms.
Children often don’t distinguish between their online and offline lives – both shape who they are. But alongside the positives, the online world also brings serious risks to children that must be addressed.
The scale of risk and online harm children face is unacceptable. Effective regulation of social media, a power reserved to Westminster and introduced through the Online Safety Act, is vital but not the only solution. The Scottish Government must play their part too. Devolved child safety online policy must also keep up with the fast‑changing digital landscape, including the challenges posed by generative AI.
The NSPCC wants to see a Scotland‑wide approach that brings together early years, education, child protection, the voluntary sector and law enforcement to keep children safe online.
We are calling on the next Scottish Government to provide clear leadership on prevention by retaining a strong, ambitious National Child Safety Online Action Plan, updated every year, aligned with the Online Safety Act, which is a key part of a wider public health approach to preventing child sexual abuse.
Yours sincerely,
Joanne Smith
NSPCC Scotland Policy Manager
