Thread by @AdamWagner1

Some very interesting and important recommendations in the new government White Paper on 'Online Harms.

Interesting that the social media companies quoted in the BBC report are cautiously supportive assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/upl…

There is potential good and harm which can come from the government intervening over this issue.

The largely unregulated forum of social media has led to a rise in abuse and fake news but also a huge increase in the ability of individuals to speak freely

So caution needed here

I haven't read in detail but the White Paper is wide ranging in its definition of online 'harm', including harassment and hate crimes but also fake news and bullying

"Bullying" is something we all think is bad but isn't illegal - though extreme bullying could amount to unlawful behaviour e.g. harassment or, if is racially motivated, a hate crime.

Big risk handing over regulation of 'bullying' to an official regulator with censure powers

I think we are genuinely in a historical moment when it isn't clear what the right approach to all of this is. So we need to be very cautious, and not fall into the trap of 'something must be done', this is 'something' therefore it 'must be done'