The UK’s Online Safety Bill has come under renewed scrutiny following a harrowing testimony from the parents of a teenage victim of online grooming, who revealed that their son, identified only as Vincent, was repeatedly told by his abusers that he was “never good enough”. The case has become a focal point for campaigners demanding tougher action against predatory networks operating on social media platforms.
Vincent’s parents, who cannot be named for legal reasons, described how their son was manipulated over several months by individuals posing as peers. The grooming escalated through private messaging, with abusers exploiting Vincent’s vulnerabilities to isolate him from his family. “They made him feel worthless, then offered false comfort,” his mother told the BBC. “He believed he was nothing without their approval.”
The Online Safety Bill, currently before Parliament, aims to impose a legal duty of care on tech companies to protect children from harmful content and to tackle criminal activity such as grooming. Under the proposed legislation, platforms could face fines of up to 10 per cent of their global turnover for failing to remove illegal content or to prevent children from encountering sexual exploitation.
However, critics argue that the bill has been weakened since its introduction. Key provisions, such as the requirement for platforms to identify and disrupt grooming networks using automated tools, have been watered down after lobbying from tech companies. The government insists that the bill strikes a balance between safety and free speech, but campaigners say it falls short of what is needed.
Vincent’s case highlights the sophistication of modern grooming networks. Investigators found that abusers used multiple accounts across different platforms to create fake personas, often targeting children with low self-esteem. The parents’ testimony has galvanised support for an amendment that would compel platforms to proactively scan for grooming conversations, rather than relying on user reports.
“Vincent’s story is not unique,” said Ruth Davison, chief executive of the NSPCC. “We hear from families every day whose children have been targeted by predators. The Online Safety Bill must include robust measures to detect and prevent grooming before it escalates.”
The bill has received cross-party support in principle, but divisions remain over the extent of platform liability. Some Conservative MPs have warned that excessive regulation could stifle innovation and drive tech companies out of the UK. Labour, meanwhile, has called for the bill to be strengthened to include provisions for grooming networks specifically.
Downing Street has signalled that it is open to further amendments, but no timeline has been given. The Home Office said in a statement: “We are committed to making the UK the safest place in the world to be online. The Online Safety Bill will give regulators the tools they need to hold platforms accountable.”
For Vincent’s parents, the legislative process moves too slowly. “Every day we wonder if another child is being groomed right now,” his father said. “We need action, not more consultations.”
The case has also prompted calls for better education on online risks in schools. The government has already introduced mandatory relationships and sex education, which includes lessons on online safety, but teachers say resources are insufficient.
As the bill enters its final stages in the House of Commons, the focus will be on whether the government can deliver on its promise to protect children. Vincent’s parents have made their plea: ensure that no other parent hears the words “never good enough” from a stranger behind a screen.
