Observed Signal · Apr 8, 2019 · Policy Update · Source: OnlineMarketing.de · Impact: 3/5 · Sentiment: Negative
UK Plans Regulation of Violence Content on Social Media
Britain's Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) is weighing a new framework to curb violence content on social media, including an independent watchdog and an industry-wide Code of Practice. The Online Harms White Paper, created with the Home Office, envisions enforcement beyond self-regulation and suggests a levy to fund oversight. Under the proposal, senior executives could be held personally liable for breaches of a new statutory duty of care, with a regulator empowered to levy substantial fines. The Code of Practice would define mandatory behaviours, and companies could justify alternative methods if they deliver equal or greater impact. The plan, described as following Australia’s approach, aims to make the UK the safest online environment and to hold platforms accountable through regulatory action.
Regulatory framework for social media violence content; potential industry-wide levy; accountability for senior management.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- UK Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) considers an independent watchdog and a Code of Practice to regulate violence-content on social media.
- An industry-wide levy could be used to fund the regulatory framework.
- Senior executives could be held liable for breaches of the proposed statutory duty of care.
- The Online Harms White Paper (with the Home Office) outlines a regulatory framework beyond self-regulation.
- The proposal aims to mirror Australia’s approach and make the UK the safest online environment.
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