Dear John,

Can you help us with this important action?

A group of animal protection experts have warned that content on social media depicting animal abuse harms vulnerable adults and children, as well as animals, and should not be overlooked in government development of the new UK Online Safety bill. 

The bill, which aims to protect children and vulnerable people from “illegal” or “harmful” content, will place more responsibility on social media companies to moderate and restrict such content on their platforms. 

Currently, the proposed bill does not cover content depicting abuse to animals. Animal experts have warned this would be a major failing by the government, arguing such content often shows illegal acts, while also having a damaging impact on the young people who watch it. 

To ensure animals are better protected moving forward, Freedom for Animals has joined forces with Asia for Animals (AfA), Social Media Animal Cruelty Coalition (SMACC), Wildlife and Countryside Link and other animal protection charities to write to the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Michelle Donelan MP, urging her to make amendments to the bill as it goes through the final stages of development.

We now need our wonderful supporters to take action and do the same.

Why is this so important?

Videos documented by animal experts show a wide range of animal abuses, with the worst depicting severe physical abuse and even torture.

Many social media companies do have policies prohibiting content depicting animal abuse on their platform. However, data collected by the Asia for Animals Social Media Animal Cruelty Coalition (SMACC) since March 2021, indicate that less than 50% of links showing animal cruelty are removed by platforms such as Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and TikTok after being reported by users.

This action will be ongoing whilst the Online Safety Bill moves through government, so please complete the form on our webpage to make sure your voice is heard! 

Please act now!

Thank you for your support with this important issue. As always, we appreciate your vital help in the fight for animal freedom, and I will keep you updated.

For the animals


Laura Walton
Campaigns Manager
Freedom for Animals