Ministers are under mounting pressure to intensify enforcement against drug dealers openly exploiting social media platforms, as MPs voice growing concerns about the harm to young people and the perceived inaction by regulatory bodies.
During a House of Commons debate on Wednesday, November 12, Liberal Democrat MP Wera Hobhouse, representing Bath, highlighted the alarming prevalence of online drug dealing, describing it as “absolutely rampant.” She sharply criticized Ofcom for not leveraging its authority under the Online Safety Act 2023 to clamp down on these illegal activities.
Hobhouse, who has collaborated with the University of Bath to raise awareness about the dangers posed by spice-laced vapes infiltrating schools, urged the government to hold social media companies to account. She stressed the urgent need to protect children from these serious risks.
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“We are increasingly frustrated that Ofcom does not use its power under the Online Safety Act to hold social media companies to account,” Hobhouse said. “Will the Minister meet me to discuss the problem with Ofcom, so that it ensures that young people in particular are kept safe online?”
In response, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Kanishka Narayan emphasized the government’s commitment to tough action against drug dealing both offline and online. He reaffirmed that Ofcom carries a legal responsibility to enforce the law.
“There is now a strong new duty under the Online Safety Act to prevent illegal activity, including drug dealing. Ofcom has a duty to enforce that,” Narayan stated. “We will continue to make sure it has the full backing to do so.”
Narayan also agreed to meet with Hobhouse to explore how enforcement measures could be reinforced.
Labour MP Chris Vince, representing Harlow, raised broader concerns about how social media can glamorize drug use, especially through short videos that often obscure the harsh realities. He urged ministers to promote more responsible messaging online.
“The glamorisation on TV of drug taking is not a new phenomenon, but I particularly worry about the nature of the internet and social media,” Vince remarked. “What can the Minister do to use the internet and social media for good, and show young people in my constituency the dangers of drug taking and drug culture?”
Narayan acknowledged these concerns and pledged to collaborate with Vince to ensure social media platforms highlight the risks associated with drug use. “I will take both his skill and his sincerity on this question to heart and work with him to ensure we robustly enforce the duties already placed on Ofcom,” he said.