Social media firms risk ‘humongous’ fines if they grant access to under-13s

The minister said she wanted a ‘zero tolerance’ approach to children using social media. Photograph: Matt Cardy/Getty Images

Social media firms could face “humongous” fines if they fail to block the accounts of under-13s, the technology secretary has said.

Michelle Donelan made the comments on the eve of the long-awaited online safety bill returning to parliament for its final stages on Wednesday after numerous delays.