Advertisement AdvertisementAdvertisement AdvertisementBut he said Com networks represented a unique challenge. "This is children who are drawn into harmful places online, who are causing this harm to other children," he said. Both are not currently understood to be included in the government's social media ban for under-16s because they are seen as messaging apps rather than social media platforms. The government told The Independent its social media ban is "only one set of measures to keep children safe" and that platforms have duties under the Online Safety Act. Parents are being urged to understand their child's online life (Getty)Mr Richardson described Com groups as a "gendered threat".