The culture secretary told social media companies that they should be more aggressive in addressing conspiracy theories – spread on social media – linking 5G networks to the coronavirus pandemic.
Oliver Dowden plans to hold virtual meetings with representatives from various technology companies next week to discuss the issue.
A number of 5G antennas were also set on fire.
The issue will test companies' commitments to free speech.
Earlier in the week, flames were reported on antennas in Birmingham, Liverpool and Melling in Merseyside.
A spokesman for mobile network Vodafone told the BBC that in the last 24 hours there had been a total of four more incidents at both its own sites and those it partners with O2, but did not specify the locations.
"We have received several reports of damage to telephone masts and mistreatment of telecoms engineers apparently inspired by crackpot conspiracy theories circulating online," a spokesperson for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport told the BBC.
“Those responsible for criminal acts will face the consequences of the law.”
"We also need to see social media companies act responsibly and take much faster action to stop the senseless dissemination on their platforms, which encourages such acts."
The DCMS has not yet confirmed which tech companies the appeal was made to.
False theories are spreading on smaller platforms, such as Nextdoor, Pinterest and the site changes.org, as well as larger ones, such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and TikTok.
Scientists have declared that the theory linking Covid-19 to 5G is “complete rubbish” and biologically impossible.
Many of the platforms have already taken steps to address the problem, but have not banned discussion of the issue entirely.
Pinterest, for example, restricts search results for Covid-19 and related terms to show information from recognized health organizations, but has no similar restriction for 5G.
Facebook said it had also removed some groups that encouraged attacks on 5G masts.
However, a post titled "burn baby burn – it's begun", which was accompanied by a video of telecommunications equipment, was taken down only six hours after it was flagged by the company's press office.
YouTube bans certain types of false posts about Covid-19, but considers conspiracy theories linking the virus to 5G to be “borderline content.” As a result, it said it is trying to reduce the frequency with which its algorithms recommend them, but is not deleting the videos from its platform.
A Google spokesperson said it intends to "assess the impact" of this approach.
Change.org said its open nature allowed anyone to submit a petition about any issue they liked, but added that they must comply with its guidelines to remain online. “We have removed some petitions that make unfounded health claims about 5G,” a spokesperson added.
Vodafone said the attacks are “now a matter of national security.”.
“Networks are now the link between people and businesses, organisations, schools and services. Keeping networks is vital,” said UK head of department Nick Jeffery.
“I am also very angry that our engineers visit businesses to solve their problems and they are mistreated.”
“Stories linking the spread of coronavirus to 5G are completely unfounded. Do not share them on social media – fake news can have serious consequences.”
The GSMA, a trade body representing the wider mobile industry, also urged social media to "accelerate their efforts to remove fake news" about the problem.
The campaign against 5G has grown on social media in the last year.
Facebook in particular was full of groups claiming that technology is dangerous, as many of them also post anti-vaccination messages.
Until recently, aside from the odd fact-check message accompanying posts, companies did nothing to combat this problem. Neither Twitter nor YouTube, for example, have an option in their reporting systems to flag a topic as misinformation.
Even on Friday, complaints to Facebook administrators about a group that appeared to encourage arson attacks on 5G masts received responses saying the page “does not violate community standards.”.
In normal times, social media platforms are very reluctant to limit what they see as an essential part of their mission: giving people the right to free expression, no matter how irresponsible their views.
But right now we are not in normal times since we are facing a global crisis.
Governments are effectively waging a war against a deadly virus, and workers involved in essential infrastructure are facing abusive behaviors that are likely the subject of social media campaigns.
This means that there is now intense pressure on social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, TikTok , and Twitter to act responsibly and help the situation.
