The world’s biggest social media firms have been invited to a summit to tackle on line hatred in Scotland.

Anas Sarwar, Glasgow Labour MSP has written to facebook and twitter and will contact Google and You Tube for an event on tackling Islamophobia later this year.

Mr Sarwar is the chair of the Cross Party Group on Tackling Islamophobia at the Scottish Parliament and he has spoken out on abuse he has been subjected to.

He is planning a high level event with government ministers and social media providers to discuss what action can be taken to clamp down on bullying, threats and abuse on line.

He wants the companies who provide the platforms to take responsibility for content on their sites

Mr Sarwar said: “Social media platforms are being used to spread and amplify hateful views and - on occasion - glorify hate speech or violent hate incidents.

“Individual sites have a responsibility about what they are allowing to appear on their sites.

“In particular, companies must do more to combat racist comments that can be viewed by children on their sites.”

He has taken the step after footage of a man shooting 50 people dead in New Zealand last month was filmed and posted live on line.

In the letter he said the public perception is that hate and prejudice is increasing and is being fuelled by politicians, the media and social media.

Mr Sarwar added: ““Social media can be a force for good in our world, and if we are to build more tolerant, hate-free societies, then it plays a crucial role in that. That’s why I have written to Facebook and Twitter with the intention of holding a summit later this year to work towards that goal.”

He said social media is often the platform used to spread and amplify hateful views and, on occasion, glorify hate speech or violent hate incidents.

The MSP added: “I am regularly subjected to vile online abuse and racism, but I am far from alone.

“Colleagues in the Scottish Parliament and across the UK have been forced to increase their personal security following threats they have received online.

“Social media has also allowed the sharing of far-right propaganda material, adding to the poison in our society.”