I welcome the introduction of the online safety bill. It’s long overdue.Regulation of harmful content on the internet is essential. No-one would argue that press and broadcasting regulation is unnecessary, why should the internet be any different?

I think people need to pause to observe how it is applied before rushing to judgment. Just because a new power exists it doesn’t mean that it will universally be applied. This might look like a catch all but there is no intention to limit free speech. Just to protect people, especially children, from harm.

That a few think that anything goes doesn’t mean it should. Society as a whole has a view and that’s what matters.

I have little doubt that flaws will emerge and amendments become necessary.

Right now the social media companies are abrogating their duties and making up their own rules, some more effectively than others, but none good enough. That situation cannot last, so if not this bill, which has taken years to get this far, isn’t the answer, what is?

How to make it work is another issue completely.

For the avoidance of doubt any comments in response to a previous post are directed to its ideas and not at any, or all, posters personally.