4 in 5 say tech bosses must be held responsible for content that harms kids

A majority of UK adults believe that tech companies should employ senior managers who are held legally responsible if children are harmed through social media.

YouGov research reveals that four in five adults would back this requirement being added to the UK Government's Online Safety Bill, currently making its way through parliament.

A cross-party group of MPs have backed an amendment to the bill to achieve such accountability should platforms contribute to the serious harm, abuse, or death of a child.

Former Home Secretary Priti Patel in among the group of MPs, which include 30 Conservative members of parliament and is expected to achieve more support. Ms Patel told The Telegraph:

“The public expect senior managers at tech firms to be held fully to account for content published on their platforms and to be proactive in preventing harms and child sexual abuse taking place.

“We must ensure that these new laws in the Online Safety Bill are effective at protecting children and vulnerable people from online harms and this proposed amendment is widely supported.”

The chief executive of the NSPCC, which commissioned the YouGov survey, said a new online safety regime should "ensures the buck stops with senior management" at tech companies.

A number of tragic cases have emerged of teenagers who were driven to suicide after exposure to harmful content online, or bullying. CARE has also warned that rampant pornography is inspiring attacks.

A spokeswoman for CARE said:

"We will consider amendments to the Online Safety Bill carefully in the coming weeks and produce our own response to the suggestions being put to Ministers.

"The key aim of this legislation must be protecting vulnerable groups and we have been very clear that children are a top priority.

"We would like to see a recognition that pornographic content is inherently harmful to children and stronger protections within law."