The UK government has announced plans to overhaul terrorism laws in response to growing concerns over online violence. Ministers say that technology companies must be pressured to remove violent content from social media platforms, which has inspired acts of murder.
The Southport stabbings, in which three girls aged 6, 9, and 7 were killed, have highlighted the need for change. The attacker, Axel Rudakubana, had accessed violent content online before committing the murders. He was referred to the Prevent anti-radicalisation programme three times but was not taken further.
The government says that eleven percent of users aged 18 and above have seen material depicting or encouraging violence or injury online, up from nine percent last year. The technology secretary, Peter Kyle, has told companies to take down violent content before the Online Safety Act comes into place in March.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has said that companies should not profit from hosting content that puts children’s lives at risk. Neil Basu, a former senior police officer, warns that violence could increase if social media companies do not take more responsibility for moderating online content.
The government is also launching a public inquiry into the Southport stabbings and plans to change the law so lone killers with “extreme individualised violence” are charged under terrorism laws. A review of the Prevent anti-radicalisation programme will also be conducted.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/jan/21/uk-ministers-pledge-overhaul-terror-laws-southport-murders