Ofcom has announced changes to social media regulations in the UK that are set to come into effect this year. The new rules, aimed at making social media platforms safer for children, will require social media companies operating in the UK to comply with a new ‘illegal harms’ code and guidance starting from December. This move is part of the Online Safety Act passed in 2023, granting Ofcom new powers to enforce online safety regulations.
The Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT) has highlighted that the bill will focus on making the UK the safest place in the world for children to be online. Among the requirements outlined in the legislation is the responsibility for platforms to prevent children from accessing harmful or age-inappropriate content online. Ofcom has been designated as the independent regulator for online safety in the UK, empowering the telecommunications watchdog to ensure compliance with the regulations.
Dame Melanie Dawes, Chief Executive of Ofcom, emphasised the importance of action over mere discussions in ensuring online safety. Tech firms will be legally obligated to take steps towards creating a safer digital environment, with non-compliance potentially resulting in significant penalties. The act introduces new criminal offences such as cyberflashing, intimate image abuse, and epilepsy trolling, while also requiring action against illegal content and activities like incitement of violence.
Under the new rules, social media companies are required to provide evidence of their compliance to Ofcom, which will assess their adherence to the regulations. Failure to comply could lead to fines of up to £18 million or 10% of their global revenue, and senior managers may face criminal charges for negligence. Ofcom will have the authority to hold companies criminally liable for child-related offences, and to impose restrictions on internet providers and advertisers working with non-compliant platforms.
In response to concerns regarding the impact of online misinformation on societal issues, the regulator has set a timeline for implementing further measures related to children’s safety by July 2025. With the aim of combatting harmful content and activities online, Ofcom’s enforcement powers under the Online Safety Act will be instrumental in ensuring the accountability of social media platforms to safeguard users, especially children.
Experts have previously criticised the existing social media laws in the UK as inadequate, particularly in light of their role in exacerbating far-right riots through online misinformation. The upcoming regulations signal a significant shift towards enhancing the safety and security of online spaces, underlining the government’s commitment to addressing the challenges posed by digital platforms.
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