Catherine has joined the Football Association (FA) to discuss online hate and abuse and their social media boycott in response to the ongoing concerns.

As Chair of the Petition Committee in Parliament and Co-Chair of the All-Party Group Against Antisemitism, Catherine has been highlighting the growing public concern that too many people are getting away with horrendous abuse online that simply would not be tolerated offline.

Catherine met with the FA to discuss their calls for social media companies to take further action including filtering, blocking and swift takedowns of offensive posts, improved verification and steps to prevent abusers from re-registering. The FA have also called for the Online Safety Bill to make social media companies more accountable for their platforms.

The discussion came ahead of the FA joining the Premier League, EFL, PFA, LMA, PGMOL, Kick It Out, Women in Football and the FSA for a social media boycott from 3pm on Friday 30 April to 11.59pm on Monday 3 May.

Following the meeting Catherine commented “There is growing public concern around online abuse and hate and a lack of action from social media companies and the Government to protect online spaces.

“Football bodies are uniting and sending a very clear message to say enough is enough.

“I share these concerns and the frustration that we have tiptoed around the issue of online harms for too long. We simply would not tolerate this abuse offline – so why should we online.

“The Government and social media must now set out a clear plan to address online abuse and hate speech and give people back control of their online lives.

“I will continue to work with the FA and others on this issue”