2. To ask the Scottish Government what it is doing to help educate children and young people about any dangers of online pornography. (S6O-02245)

Through the Scottish curriculum, curriculum for excellence, secondary school pupils learn about the damaging and exploitative aspects of pornography and how it can negatively affect mental health and healthy relationships. Pupils learn about that topic as part of their learning in relationships, sexual health and parenthood education.

The cabinet secretary might be aware that, earlier this month, the Children’s Commissioner for England published a second report on the impact of pornography on children. The report focuses on the harms that children face from accessing violent pornography and how that might influence their own harmful sexual behaviour. That is why regulation of online material is so critical to the protection of children and young people. I agree with the Children’s Commissioner for England that no child should be able to access or watch pornography.

Worryingly, the report found that one victim said that their abuser made references to things that he had seen on porn. Two young girls said that they felt that they had been treated like porn stars by their abuser. I have mentioned the lack of data in Scotland in relation to the matter in the chamber previously. Does the cabinet secretary think that it is important to collect that type of data? Should the new Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland consider the collection of such data a priority?

Pauline McNeill raises a really important matter. I have not been sighted of the report from the Children’s Commissioner for England that she mentioned. I will certainly be apprised of it following portfolio questions because it is hugely important that we have a granular understanding of the challenge in Scotland.

On the point that Pauline McNeill made about regulation, regulation of the internet is a reserved matter and falls to the United Kingdom Government. We have been engaging with the UK Government on the Online Safety Bill, which would introduce additional measures to protect vulnerable children online. Pauline McNeill has made a valid poin.

I look forward to working with the new children’s commissioner who will take up post later this year.