A generation of children will not be allowed to grow up "at the mercy of toxic algorithms", the Technology Secretary said as new online safety protections came into force. Peter Kyle said the Government was laying the foundations for a safer, healthier, more humane online world, as he warned tech firms they "will be held to account" if they fail to adhere to the measures.
The changes, as part of the Online Safety Act and set to be enforced by regulator Ofcom, require online platforms to have age checks in place - using facial age estimation or credit card checks - if they host pornography or other harmful content such as self-harm, suicide or eating disorders. They also require platforms to ensure algorithms do not work to harm children by, for example, pushing such content towards them when online.
Fines up to £18 million
Actions which could be taken against firms which fail to comply with the new codes include fines of up to £18 million or 10% of qualifying worldwide revenue, whichever is greater, and court orders potentially blocking access in the UK. Campaigners have warned the measures must be enforced strictly, with the NSPCC urging Ofcom to "show its teeth" if companies fail to make changes in line with the regulator's protection of children codes.
But the Molly Rose Foundation - set up by bereaved father Ian Russell after his 14-year-old daughter Molly took her own life having viewed harmful content on social media - said there is a "lack of ambition and accountability" in the measures. The foundation accused the regulator of choosing to "prioritise the business needs of big tech over children's safety".
Government draws line in sand
Kyle insisted the Government has "drawn a line in the sand" and that the codes will bring real change. He said: "This Government has taken one of the boldest steps anywhere in the world to reclaim the digital space for young people - to lay the foundations for a safer, healthier, more humane place online."
"We cannot - and will not - allow a generation of children to grow up at the mercy of toxic algorithms, pushed to see harmful content they would never be exposed to offline. This is not the internet we want for our children, nor the future we are willing to accept," he added. He said the time for tech platforms "to look the other way is over", calling on them to "act now to protect our children, follow the law, and play their part in creating a better digital world".
Ofcom defends new measures
Ofcom chief executive Dame Melanie Dawes has previously defended criticism of the reforms, insisting that tech firms are not being given much power over the new measures, which will apply across the UK. Dame Melanie said: "Prioritising clicks and engagement over children's online safety will no longer be tolerated in the UK."
"Our message to tech firms is clear - comply with age checks and other protection measures set out in our codes, or face the consequences of enforcement action from Ofcom," she added. The regulator said X, formerly Twitter, and others including Bluesky, Reddit and dating app Grindr are among those to have committed to age assurances.
Major platforms under scrutiny
Ofcom described its safety codes as demanding that algorithms "must be tamed and configured for children so that the most harmful material is blocked". It said it has launched a monitoring and impact programme focused on some of the platforms where children spend most time including social media sites Facebook, Instagram and TikTok, gaming site Roblox and video clip website YouTube.
The sites are among those which have been asked to submit, by August 7, a review of their efforts to assess risks to children and, by September 30, scrutiny of the practical actions they are taking to keep children safe. Chris Sherwood, chief executive at the NSPCC, said: "Children, and their parents, must not solely bear the responsibility of keeping themselves safe online. It's high time for tech companies to step up."
Mixed reactions from charities
He said if enforcement is "strong", the codes should offer a "vital layer of protection" for children and young people when they go online, adding: "If tech companies fail to comply, Ofcom must show its teeth and fully enforce the new codes". Echoing this, Barnardo's children's charity said the changes are "an important stepping stone" but "must be robustly enforced".
England's Children's Commissioner, Dame Rachel de Souza, said Friday "marks a new era of change in how children can be protected online, with tech companies now needing to identify and tackle the risks to children on their platforms or face consequences". She said the measures must keep pace with emerging technology to make them effective in the future.
Foundation calls for reset
But Andy Burrows, chief executive of the Molly Rose Foundation, said: "This should be a watershed moment for young people but instead we've been let down by a regulator that has chosen to prioritise the business needs of big tech over children's safety." He said the "lack of ambition and accountability will have been heard loud and clear in Silicon Valley".
He added: "We now need a clear reset and leadership from the Prime Minister. That means nothing less than a new Online Safety Act that fixes this broken regime and firmly puts the balance back in favour of children." Earlier this week, Kyle said children could face a limit on using social media apps to help them "take control of their online lives".
Time limits under consideration
He said he wanted to tackle "compulsive behaviour" and ministers are reportedly considering a two-hour limit, with curfews also under discussion. The Cabinet minister said he would be making an announcement about his plans for under-16s "in the near future".
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
