Labour's Shadow Secretary for Science, Innovation, and Technology, Peter Kyle, has urged the government to bolster Ofcom's authority in protecting children from harmful online content. In a letter to Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan, Kyle criticised the regulator for its slow progress in enforcing the Online Safety Act, which became law last October.
Delays in Enforcement
Kyle highlighted that Ofcom has yet to fully implement critical measures, such as age verification for pornography sites, despite the legislation being in place for months. "Children remain at risk while enforcement drags," he warned, calling the delays "unacceptable."
Labour's Demands
The Labour MP outlined three key demands:
- Clearer timelines for Ofcom's enforcement actions
- Stronger powers to hold tech giants accountable
- Immediate steps to block underage access to adult content
Kyle emphasised that "prevention must take priority over punishment" when it comes to child safety online.
Government Response
The Department for Science, Innovation and Technology maintains that Ofcom is making progress, with initial codes of practice expected this autumn. However, critics argue the pace doesn't match the urgency of the threat to young internet users.
This intervention comes as concern grows about children's exposure to harmful material, including self-harm content and misinformation on social media platforms.
