by Social media platforms must take action to stop their algorithms recommending harmful content to children, and implement strong age-checking measures to protect them, Ofcom said.
The regulator has published its draft child safety codes of practice, which set out how it expects online services to meet their new legal responsibilities to protect children online under the Online Safety Act.
Online safety laws require sites that children can access to take action to protect those younger users by assessing the risk their platform poses to children and then implementing measures to mitigating those risks – with hefty fines among the possible penalties for those found. to be in violation.
Ofcom, as the new regulator for the sector, has published a range of draft codes of practice in recent months, setting out how platforms should handle different types of content, before the new rules take full effect, which are expected towards. end of this year.
The latest codes include more than 40 practical measures which Ofcom says will require a step change from technology firms by encouraging safer design and operating practices from the largest sites.
In particular, the codes will expect services to implement robust age verification processes to stop children from accessing harmful content, as well as ensuring that their recommendation algorithms – such as “For You” pages – do not serve up dangerous content or which may be harmful to children.
Under the proposals, platforms that can be accessed by children and have a higher risk of viewing harmful content must configure their algorithms to filter out the most harmful content from children’s feeds , and reduce the visibility and visibility of lower risk, but still potentially harmful. , content.
The draft codes also require businesses to have content moderation systems and processes in place, and ensure swift action is taken against harmful content, and expect search engines to have a “safe search” option for use by children.
Chief Executive Ofcom, Dame Melanie Dawes, said: “We want children to enjoy life online. But, for too long, their experiences have been distorted by very harmful material that they cannot avoid or control. Many parents feel frustrated and worried about how to keep their children safe. That has to change.
“In line with new online safety laws, our proposed Codes firmly place the responsibility of keeping children safer on technology businesses. They will need to curb aggressive algorithms that push content harmful to children in their personalized feeds and introduce age checks so children get an age-appropriate experience.
“Our measures, which go far beyond current industry standards, will transform online safety for children in the UK. Once they are in place we will not hesitate to use our full range of enforcement powers to hold platforms to account. That’s the promise we make to children and parents today.”
Sir Peter Wanless, chief executive of children’s charity the NSPCC, said the draft code was a “welcome step in the right direction” to protect children online.
“Building on the ambition in the Online Safety Act, the draft codes set appropriate high standards and make it clear that all technology companies will have work to do to meet Ofcom’s expectations of keeping children safe,” a he said.
“Technology companies will be legally required to ensure that their platforms are inherently safe by design for children when the final code comes into force, and we urge them to get ahead of the curve now and take immediate action to prevent inappropriate content and prevent harmful from existing. shared with children and young people.
“It is important that this draft code shows that both the Online Safety Act and effective regulation play a key role in ensuring that children can access and explore the online world safely.
“We look forward to engaging with Ofcom’s consultation and will share our child protection and safety expertise to ensure that the voices and experiences of children and young people are central to decision-making and the final version of the code.”
Online child safety campaigner Ian Russell, father of 14-year-old Molly Russell, who took her own life in November 2017 after viewing harmful content on social media, said more needs to be done to protect young people from harm online.
In her role as chair of online safety charity the Molly Rose Foundation, Mr Russell said: “Ofcom’s task was to seize the moment and propose bold and decisive measures that can protect children from widespread but inherently preventable harm.
“The regulator has proposed some important measures, which are welcome, but its overall set of recommendations needs to be more ambitious to prevent children from accessing harmful material that could cost Molly’s life.
“It’s been more than six years since Molly’s death, but the truth is that not much has changed. In some ways, the risks to teenagers have worsened.
“That’s why it’s so important that the next Prime Minister pledges to finish the job and strengthen the Online Safety Act to give children and families the protection they deserve.”
Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan said: “When we passed the Online Safety Act last year, we went further than almost any other country in our quest to make the UK the safest place to be a child online.
“That task is a complex journey but one we are committed to, and our cutting-edge laws will hold technology companies to account in a way they have never experienced before.
“The Government appointed Ofcom to deliver the Act and the regulator is clear today: platforms must introduce the kinds of age checks that young people face in real life and address algorithms that mean they come across easy access to harmful content online.
“Once in place, these measures will fundamentally change the way children in the UK experience the online world.
“I want to assure parents that protecting children is our number one priority and these laws will help keep their families safe.
“With platforms, my message is stay connected and prepare. Don’t wait for enforcement and big fines – step up to meet your responsibilities and act now.”
