During a recent session in the House of Commons, Labour MP Polly Billington expressed serious concerns regarding the pressures faced by young women in her East Thanet constituency to establish OnlyFans accounts as a means of generating income. Billington highlighted the alarming reports from the domestic abuse charity Oasis, which indicated incidents of "coercion and exploitation" related to this phenomenon.
Speaking at the science and technology questions, Billington raised a critical query to the Secretary of State, asking what measures were being put in place to tackle the issues of coercion and exploitation within the growing sector of online adult content. She stated, “The domestic abuse charity Oasis in my constituency has alerted me to the appalling situation that young women are being coerced to set up their own OnlyFans to generate income.”
The issue has gained notable attention in light of a February investigation by the Daily Mirror, which uncovered that over 1,500 crimes associated with OnlyFans have been reported to 38 police forces across the UK in the past five years. These offences included allegations of women being forced into sex work via the platform and instances of revenge porn.
Technology Secretary Peter Kyle responded to Billington's statements by acknowledging her advocacy for these critical issues. He affirmed the charity's notable work and underscored the necessity for "radical changes to keep people safe online." Kyle assured Billington of the government's commitment to addressing the breaches of law associated with coercion and exploitation, reaffirming that action would be taken to eliminate illegal content.
The discussion surrounding online safety and exploitation of vulnerable individuals coincided with a broader conversation among MPs regarding mobile phone connectivity issues across the UK. Conservative MP Mark Pritchard, representing The Wrekin, articulated complaints about the inadequate mobile service coverage within his Shropshire constituency. He queried whether the introduction of more mobile network operators could enhance competition and improve service delivery.
In response, Technology Minister Chris Bryant remarked on the disconnect between perceived service levels and actual mobile connectivity. He noted that while devices may display numerous signal bars and indicate 4G connectivity, many users still face difficulties accessing basic features like app downloads. Bryant indicated a need for industry transformation, stating, “We’ve got to transform that across the whole of the UK," and suggested that removing barriers to investment would be crucial in enhancing mobile connectivity for all.
The discussion included a moment of levity when Bryant referenced a recent experience in Godalming, where he struggled to find his way due to poor mobile signal, prompting a light-hearted remark about whether the issue lay with him or the former Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt. Hunt, antes up to express the concern affecting Godalming, reiterated the importance of addressing the poor service within his Surrey constituency, emphasising the urgency as “spring is in the air.”
Overall, the twin issues of online safety in emerging adult platforms and the need for improved mobile connectivity reflect ongoing challenges that MPs are actively engaging to address for their constituents.
Source: Noah Wire Services