To ask the Minister of Health whether he has written to any UK Government Ministers or Departments in relation to online safety of children and young people, in the 2022-27 Assembly mandate.

Whilst I have not directly written to any UK Government Ministers or Departments in relation to online safety, my department maintains effective links with the wider UK online safety landscape through its sponsorship of the Executive’s Online Safety Strategy and the Safeguarding Board for Northern Ireland (SBNI). This includes ongoing engagement with Ofcom in its role as the independent regulator for Online Safety.

As the central body with responsibility for online safety in Northern Ireland, SBNI also participates in the UK Council for Internet Safety (UKCIS) Early Warnings Group, which supports timely information sharing and collaboration on the development of resources to strengthen online safety practice.