Web giants warned

FOR far too long, social media giants have arrogantly refused to take responsibility for the filth swilling across their sites.

Cloistered in Silicon Valley ivory towers, these tax-avoiding billionaires are indifferent to the trauma inflicted on children using websites such as Facebook and Instagram.

At the click of a mouse, youngsters risk exposure to paedophiles, self-harm images, online porn, and extremist propaganda.

But finally, the firms are being brought to heel by the Information Commissioner. They must enforce strict age checks and stop bombarding children with damaging content – or face multi-million-pound fines.

This paper has long demanded regulation holding them to account. If this is the authorities baring their fangs, it is very welcome... and about time.