Deputy Prime Minister David Lamy has accused wealthy social media owners of making money from “divisiveness, conflict, hatred and toxicity” as the government considers new measures aimed at protecting children online.Speaking as part of LADb’s Happening Now discussion series in London, Lamy said social media platforms were fueling growing concerns about the welfare of young people and argued that governments across the Western world were failing to respond effectively.“I feel strongly that when we talk about social media, you end up with a lot of billionaires, rich people making a lot of money and monetizing division, conflict, hatred and toxicity,” Lamy said.The comments came during a panel discussion about the challenges facing young people, including financial pressure, loneliness and opportunities for social mobility. Influencer Jim Chapman, suicide prevention campaigner Ben West and Sarah Sternberg, director of men’s health charity Movember, also attended the event.Lamy said society has been aware of the risks posed by harmful online content for years but has struggled to address the issue.“We have failed to successfully act where harm has been done,” he said. “We’ve been aware of this problem for years. I just think it’s a failure as a society.”His comments come as the government considers new online safety measures for children. Earlier this week, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said ministers could tighten legislation if tech companies fail to introduce device-level controls to prevent children from sending or receiving nude photos.Recent reports also suggest the government is considering restricting social media use by under-16s following a nationwide consultation.Lamy said more than 100,000 people had participated in the consultation process and claimed that the majority of parents supported stronger protections.“Nine out of 10 parents want support in this area,” he said. “They know, they’re worried, they’re anxious.”A LADbible survey of 2,000 people aged 18 to 34, including 1,500 men and 500 women, found that 86% of young men believe it is harder than ever to succeed financially, although 84% still believe that hard work creates opportunity. Drawing on his experience as justice minister and a parent of three, Lamy said concerns about social media often focus on what young people encounter online when adults are absent.“Social media can keep you up at night,” he said, adding that parents are often unable to see or respond to the anxiety, loneliness or harmful content their children experience online.Lammy also linked online harm to wider social challenges, including youth crime and inequality, saying he often saw the impact of online harm on young people from disadvantaged backgrounds through the justice system.He believes that protecting children online should not be a partisan issue and calls for a broader political consensus.“There is a politics of discontent in this space that is causing a lot of anxiety, pain, sadness and conflict without a lot of solutions,” he said. “This really should be so important that it transcends politics.”
