Why we'd be right to fine big tech companies

It is easy to kick a political leader when he or she is down. Mrs May's authority is now seriously compromised by the result of an unnecessary snap election. It is a situation of her own making.

This does not mean, however, that she is any less justified in calling for social media companies to accept their rightful civic responsibility. They have enormous influence on what is accessible by vulnerable and often criminal minds.

Social media groups have made it possible for us to do remarkable things. They promote mass collaboration and convergent innovative. They support social enterprise and offer new insights into cross-cultural understanding.

These agents for so much good must not be allowed to become, even to a small degree, universities of the depraved.