To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister whether they are developing an updated Online Safety Strategy for Northern Ireland.

The Department of Health has sponsorship of the Executive’s ‘Keeping children and young people safe: an Online Safety Strategy for Northern Ireland’ and accompanying three-year Action Plan, which were published in February 2021. As the online safety regulator, Ofcom has responsibilities for addressing harms to women and girls online. In February, Ofcom launched a consultation on Guidance for A Safer Life Online for Women and Girls as part of the requirements of the Online Safety Act 2023. Junior Ministers met with Ofcom earlier this year to discuss a range of issues including the consultation on Ofcom’s draft guidance on VAWG, as well as their Media Literacy Strategy. Our officials continue to liaise with Ofcom officials.