A JOHNSTONE teenager is calling on the UK Government to make sure the Online Safety Bill remains a priority under the next Prime Minister.

Chantelle, whose surname cannot be published for safeguarding reasons, is a volunteer member of the Young People’s Board for Change (YPBC) with the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC).

The 17-year-old is encouraging members of the public to urge their MP to support the NSPCC’s Wild West Campaign, which calls on the UK Government to make the Online Safety Bill a priority and to strengthen it.

The legislation had been making its way through parliament but has now been delayed until a new Prime Minister is in place in the autumn.

Chantelle told The Gazette: “I joined the YPBC because it’s an incredible opportunity to be involved in making positive change for other young people across the UK.

The Gazette: ChantelleChantelle

“There are many great things about young people growing up online, including being able to communicate with others. However, there can also be many negatives because young people can be exploited on the internet in so many ways.

“I hope the Online Safety Bill remains a top priority for whoever replaces Boris Johnson, so we can keep young people safer online.

“And we can all do our bit to make a difference by emailing our MPs to support the Online Safety Bill and make it stronger.”

Chantelle joined other YPBC members at an NSPCC-organised online safety parliamentary reception in Westminster earlier this month to urge the UK Government to ensure the Bill is robust enough to tackle online grooming and child sexual abuse.

A spokesperson for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said: “The Online Safety Bill will continue its journey through the House of Commons in the autumn as a result of the parliamentary timetable.”