Ofcom enforces new child safety rules for tech companies

In the United Kingdom, new online safety regulations come into effect aimed at protecting minors from access to harmful content online. Effective from July 24, 2025, these regulations require tech companies to implement highly effective age checks to prevent children from accessing pornographic and other dangerous materials like those related to self-harm, suicide, and extreme violence. Formerly, there has been significant concern from child safety campaigners regarding the adequacy of online protections, leading to these regulatory changes. These measures form part of the broader Online Safety Act and are substantial for various platforms popular among adolescents, including social media sites and gaming platforms. Ofcom, the UK's communications regulator, has stated that these new codes demand improvements from companies regarding their algorithms to ensure they do not expose children to harmful content. Dame Melanie Dawes, chief executive of Ofcom, emphasized that non-compliance would result in stringent consequences, with potential penalties including fines of up to £18 million or 10% of a company’s global revenue. Furthermore, companies failing to comply may also face court orders that could restrict their access in the UK market. This regulatory shift comes amidst growing criticism of the tech industry’s record on child safety, highlighting the pressures on businesses to prioritize children's online welfare over engagement metrics. Despite the regulations, criticism persists from advocacy groups like the Molly Rose Foundation, which argues that these changes lack the ambition needed to protect children adequately. They describe the current reforms as insufficient, expressing concern that the interests of major tech companies are still being prioritized over genuine child protection. This sentiment underscores the ongoing debate over how effectively new measures can be enforced and the responsibilities of tech companies in safeguarding young users.