The Government agrees that social media plays a vital role in health information dissemination and in raising awareness of key health issues. There are opportunities to improve how the Government and NHS communicate on social media and ensure that girls and women are receiving accurate and engaging information and advice on menstrual health. The Government recognises that the digital landscape is constantly evolving, with new platforms and channels emerging. DHSC is currently developing a social media content plan to promote the Women’s Health Strategy which will be reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that the approach remains responsive and effective. DHSC will provide an update in the refreshed Women’s Health Strategy annual report. The Government agrees that it is important to improve NHS England’s processes for approving and publishing third-party health content. The NHS has a robust process for approving and publishing third-party health content, which includes clinical and editorial reviews to ensure accuracy, safety, and alignment with NHS guidelines. DHSC and NHSE will review existing processes and explore opportunities to streamline them, whilst maintaining content quality and safety standards. This will ensure that valuable health information from trusted sources can be shared more efficiently with the public. The Government agrees that it is important to expand the channels through which the NHS communicates, including platforms like TikTok, to reach diverse audiences, particularly girls and younger women. DHSC will work with NHSE to explore how to effectively engage on these platforms, ensuring that content is tailored to each channel while maintaining accuracy and integrity. The refreshed Women’s Health Strategy annual report will include a clear plan with measurable actions and targets to demonstrate that promoting accurate social media content on women’s health is a top priority. The Government acknowledges the Committee’s concerns regarding the suppression of vital online information about women’s health and the effectiveness of the Online Safety Act 2023 in addressing this issue. The Online Safety Act 2023 requires the largest social media companies to tackle illegal content on their platforms and to address content that breaches their own terms and conditions – which often includes misogynistic content and misinformation. Ofcom will hold platforms to account for meeting their obligations, and the regulator has significant enforcement powers to ensure that platforms comply with the Act. Ofcom’s codes of practice will set out the steps that platforms must take to meet their duties under the Act and will provide further guidance on how platforms should address legal but harmful content. The Government also expects social media companies to apply their terms and conditions consistently and transparently across all content. Ofcom will monitor platforms’ compliance with their duties under the Act, and will publish transparency reports which will provide an overview of the measures taken by platforms to tackle illegal and harmful content. Ofcom’s codes of practice and transparency reports will provide greater clarity and accountability regarding platforms’ content moderation practices. The Government continues to engage with social media platforms and other stakeholders to understand the challenges and explore solutions related to online information suppression and censorship.