Children and parents in the UK can expect a markedly different online experience from today, as new measures from the Online Safety Act come into force. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said he had “very high expectations” for the changes, promising that a generation of children will no longer be exposed to “toxic algorithms”. The reforms include mandatory age checks on sites hosting adult or harmful content, as well as requirements for platforms to prevent algorithms from promoting material linked to self-harm or eating disorders.
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The regulator Ofcom will enforce the changes and has the power to fine companies up to £18 million or 10% of their global turnover, whichever is greater. Ofcom chief executive Dame Melanie Dawes urged the public to “judge us by the impact we secure” and confirmed that pornographic sites are now expected to verify user age through methods such as facial age estimation or credit card verification. Early reports suggest compliance varies, but Ofcom insists it is monitoring patterns of behaviour and back-end data.
Charities such as the NSPCC, Barnardo’s, and the Internet Watch Foundation welcomed the changes but stressed the importance of enforcement. They called for robust and meaningful safeguards to be embedded into platform design, not treated as an afterthought. However, some organisations remain critical. The Molly Rose Foundation, formed by the father of Molly Russell after her tragic death, argued the reforms still prioritise business needs over child safety. Chief executive Andy Burrows described the measures as a “sticking plaster” rather than a comprehensive solution.
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Ofcom has launched a monitoring programme focused on platforms popular with children, including Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Roblox and Facebook. These companies must submit reviews of their child safety efforts by early August and demonstrate their practical steps to protect children by the end of September. The Government is also exploring limits on screen time for young people, with curfews and a two-hour daily limit reportedly under consideration. The shift marks a significant move towards a more responsible digital landscape in the UK.
