From tomorrow, social media companies must implement child safety measures under the Online Safety Act, a landmark piece of legislation passed in 2023. The act gives regulator Ofcom significant new powers to enforce rules aimed at protecting children from harmful content such as pornography and material encouraging self-harm. Companies face hefty fines for non-compliance.
Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle called the new codes a 'watershed moment' that turns the tide on 'toxic experiences on these platforms'. The act applies to over 100,000 companies, including major platforms like Facebook, Google, X, Reddit, and OnlyFans. Pornography websites must now verify users are 18 or older using methods like photo-ID matching, facial age estimation, or credit card checks.
The legislation follows years of campaigning by online safety advocates, including Ian Russell, father of Molly Russell who died after viewing harmful content, and Baroness Kidron. Other advocates include footballer Rio Ferdinand and reality TV star Georgia Harrison. The act aims to address concerns about social media's impact on children's mental health and online hate.
Ofcom has issued extensive guidance to underpin the act, reflecting the challenge of regulating the vast online world. While harmful content may still appear, the rules represent a significant step in digital accountability in the UK.
