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A new crackdown on cyber bullying and web trolling is unveiled today - but web giants will not be forced to sign up.

Firms like Twitter and Facebook will be asked to stump up for an industry-wide levy and code of practice to help tackle online harassment, ministers revealed.

But Whitehall sources admitted it will be voluntary and the social media companies will not have to take part.

The Government has repeatedly threatened to impose tough new curbs in a bid to force the websites to clamp down on rogue users who exploit the web to spread hate and inflict misery.

But, in a victory for web firms which insist they are already taking action, ministers have backed away from making the levy and code of conduct mandatory.

Instead, an annual internet safety report will be published outlining web giants’ success in combating abusive and harmful content, under plans set out in today’s Internet Safety Strategy.

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

Culture Secretary Karen Bradley said: “The internet has been an amazing force for good, but it has caused undeniable suffering and can be an especially harmful place for children and vulnerable people.

“Behaviour that is unacceptable in real life is unacceptable on a computer screen.”

In the past year, almost one fifth of 12 to 15-year-olds encountered something online which they “found worrying or nasty in some way” and 64% of 13 to 17-year-olds have seen offensive images or videos.

Nearly half of adults have seen something that has upset or offended them on social media.

A two-month consultation on the strategy, outlined in a Government Green Paper, starts today.

UK Safer Internet Centre director David Wright said: “Technology plays a fundamental role in everyone’s lives presenting both opportunities and threats.

“Our aim is to promote national collaboration around these issues to deliver positive change among children and young people and those who support them through education and increased awareness of the safe and responsible use of technology.”

Meanwhile, the chairwoman of media watchdog Ofcom revealed she believes businesses such as Google and Facebook are publishers - raising the prospect they could eventually face more regulation.

Dame Patricia Hodgson also disclosed that Ofcom’s board had discussed how the internet could be regulated.

But the watchdog’s chief executive Sharon White said she was wary of regulating web companies, which have been accused of helping spread “fake news”.

“We feel strongly that the platforms as publishers have got more responsibility to ensure the right content,” she said.

“I don’t think it’s a question of regulation, which I think has a fuzzy boundary with censorship, but I think we feel strongly that the platforms ought to be doing more to ensure their content can be trusted.

“I think it’s a very, very complex issue, where it is easier to identify some of the problems about the lack of trust and I think it’s much harder to see this as a very straight regulatory question.”

The Prime Minister’s spokesman said: “We are looking at the role Google and Facebook play in the news environment.

“The Digital Charter was a manifesto commitment for the Government.

“It will set out a framework for how individuals and businesses should behave online. And as part of this work we will look carefully at the roles, responsibilities and the legal status of the major internet platforms.”

Internet Matters general manager Carolyn Bunting said: “There is always more that government and industry can do to help keep our children safe online but above all we hope the Government's new strategy will empower parents to learn more about the issues around cyber-bullying and play an active role in their children’s digital lives.

"Anything that helps parents make informed choices about how they help their kids stay safe in their digital lives, build digital literacy and know more about the issue of cyber-bullying is a move in the right direction.

"A recent survey from Internet Matters revealed one in five parents said their child had received cruel comments online and we have spent a long time campaigning to highlight to parents the risks their children face in their digital world.

"If more information for parents can serve as a trigger for a conversation with their child, it is a welcome step forward."