Donelan confirms stiffer online safety measures after backbench pressure

The culture secretary, Michelle Donelan, confirmed that the online safety bill would be amended after pressure from Conservative backbenchers.

Under the bill, tech companies including social media firms and search engines have a duty to protect children from harmful content such as material promoting self-harm and eating disorders.

Donelan said posting positive videos of crossings could be aiding and abetting immigration offences. Natalie Elphicke, the Conservative MP for Dover, had originally tabled an amendment proposing the change.

Both amendments will be introduced when the bill moves to the House of Lords after its third reading in the Commons on Tuesday. The bill also places a duty of care on tech firms to shield users from illegal content such as child sexual abuse and terrorist material. Companies that breach the act could face fines of up to £18m or 10% of global turnover.

A lobby group for the UK tech industry said it was pleased with the liability change, which was brought in by the government after it faced defeat over a similar amendment backed by Conservative backbenchers including the former leader Iain Duncan Smith and the former home secretary Priti Patel.