Ofcom proposes new rules requiring tech companies to change their algorithms to hide “toxic” material from children, have more robust age checks, and more

It focuses on proposals for how internet services … Emma Martins : This draft Code is one of the first steps by Ofcom, UK independent communications regulator, in respect of its new duties and powers under the Online Safety Act. … Forums: Hacker News : Tech firms must tame toxic algorithms to protect children online r/unitedkingdom : Tame toxic algorithms to protect children, big tech told

BBC 2024-05-09

Context & Ripple Effects

The draft code moves UK child-safety policy beyond the earlier privacy code targeting manipulative design toward how services rank and recommend material. It is an early use of Ofcom's powers under the Online Safety Act, making platform design—not only content removal—a regulatory object.

The proposal immediately drew criticism that child protections should be built in by default rather than left to young users' choices of tools, as in the debate over the draft code's safety-by-design approach. Later Ofcom coverage also shows the issue shifting toward proof that recommendation systems protect under-18s.

First-order effects

Online services serving children would need to reassess recommendation and ranking systems so harmful material is less readily surfaced to them, alongside strengthening age-assurance processes.
Ofcom gains a concrete framework for judging whether platforms' child-safety controls meet its new statutory duties, rather than relying solely on voluntary product policies.

Second-order effects

Product, trust-and-safety, and age-assurance teams face tighter coordination: age signals determine which users receive altered recommendation experiences, making weak age checks a compliance weakness.
The code creates pressure for platforms to document and test how their systems limit harmful recommendations to minors; the later warning to demonstrate algorithmic protection for under-18s suggests that obligation can become an enforcement focus.

Third-order effects

If implemented and enforced consistently, UK online-safety oversight could normalize design-level accountability for recommender systems, not just takedowns of individual posts.
The durable policy tension will be whether age-gating and user-selected controls are sufficient, or whether regulators increasingly require protective defaults for child accounts.

The trend: Child online-safety regulation is evolving from content moderation rules toward auditable controls over recommendations, age assurance, and default product design.

Discussion

@jamesrbuk James Ball on x
The moral panic over kids with phones is surely hitting its peak soon. Surely. There are of course real and legitimate concerns, but the discourse is now so disconnected from them it's ridiculous.
@katebevan Kate on x
I have the most enormous sympathy for these families, who have lost children in horrendous ways. But bereaved families should be nowhere near policy-making. Policy must be evidence-based, not vibes-based.
@bbcfrediani Richard Frediani on x
Incredibly powerful TV watching 11 bereaved parents share their stories and question the decision makers from the Government and Ofcom about social media and children #BBCBreakfast
@jamesrbuk James Ball on x
I really have to echo @PaulbernalUK as to just how stupid it is that the conversation has reached the point where this is seen as a serious thing to discuss. This wouldn't work, it would be disastrous in any number of ways, and it's based on incredibly thin evidence.
@michelledonelan Michelle Donelan MP on x
In @Telegraph today, I set out why protecting kids online matters so much to me and millions of others. We are going further than any Govt in history to protect children online, and today tech companies got their new ‘manual’ for how they need to protect kids online. See here👇 [i…
@bbcbreakfast @bbcbreakfast on x
Molly Russell's father says the process of getting tougher social media measures passed has been ‘frustrating’ Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan tells #BBCBreakfast that in a perfect world the new legislation would be in place tomorrow but it needs to be ‘bulletproof’... [vid…
@portraitinflesh Tom Doran on x
I wish the media would collectively agree to stop consulting bereaved families on public policy matters as though their personal investment in the issue is the same as expertise. Same basic principle as why we don't let the victim's loved ones decide the murderer's sentence.
@katebevan Kate on x
Really hope Breakfast follows this up with a discussion panel of actual experts on age verification: policy experts, tech experts, privacy experts, AI experts, legal experts. Because it's a lot bloody harder to do in even a half-arsed way than these people think.
@alecmuffett Alec Muffett on x
@jamesrbuk My take is that the forces of stupidity and repression are gearing up to get as much achieved during the pre-election wash-up as possible, so that they can get legislation pushed through on a nod of soon to expire MPs.
@paulbernaluk Prof Paul Bernal on x
@katebevan And to talk about the real downsides to robust age verification too...
@bbcbreakfast @bbcbreakfast on x
40% of 5-7 year olds are on social media Hollie Dance, mother of Archie Battersbee who died when he was 12, wants to know what more Ofcom can do to make age verification on social media sites stricter https://www.bbc.com/... [video]
@laurie1984 Laurie on x
Rather than banning stuff, a simple quick win would be to do a big public awareness campaign about how damaging smart phones and social media in particular is for kids. So many parents literally don't see any issue with it.
@privacymatters @privacymatters on x
On BBC breakfast discussing Online Safety with parents of dead children, & checking age of kids, the CEO of @Ofcom says 'age verification technology is there and doesn't require identity' and will be holding social media to account
@samfowles Sam Fowles on x
Will Ofcom's new guidance make big tech take action to protect children from online harms? It depends on how willing Ofcom is to use its new enforcement powers. Start fining companies 10% of global turnover, and they may take notice. But a gun shy regulator will be ignored. [vide…
@matthewlesh Matthew Lesh on x
Ofcom is being celebrated today for a code of practice protecting children from harmful content. But the coverage is missing significant details. The definition of priority harmful content is broad, including material that targets race, religion and gender reassignment. [image]
@rdlaverty Rhys Laverty on x
I am begging literally any major public body to tell parents that it's mostly their own fault for giving their kids phones. https://www.bbc.com/...
@childrenscomm @childrenscomm on x
Today Ofcom publishes their draft Children's Code, which sets out how services must meet their new duties to protect children online. This is a significant step forward in the ongoing effort to safeguard children online, but more work needs to be done. Read my full statement 👇 [i…
@leng_cath Cath Leng on x
Ofcom's talks with Esther Ghey should be balanced by talks with parents whose children have been damaged by gender-affirmative content. ⁦@Ofcom⁩ shouldn't be limited in the range of material it considers, by any fear of upsetting a bereaved mother. https://www.bbc.com/...
@commissionerda @commissionerda on x
I welcome @Ofcom's steps to keep children safe online. It is absolutely right that tech firms should tackle toxic algorithms and implement robust age-checks. I look forward to working closely with Ofcom as a statutory consultee, as we build on this important first step.
@mrjohnnicolson John Nicolson M.P. on x
In the aftermath of high profile tragedies and children's suicides the media regulator @ofcom says it is going to get tough with social media companies over children's access to their services. But I have concerns. [video]
@talktv @talktv on x
Julia asserts that three to seven-year-old children do not need mobile phones “full stop”, after OFCOM research showed kids as young as three are on social media apps. “What the absolute big f word are parents thinking?!” @JuliaHB1 [video]
@iconews Ico on x
We're working with Ofcom and other regulators to make sure children are protected online. We all want to see an internet that is privacy-friendly and safe for children and young people.
@gmb @gmb on x
Children will be blocked from social media platforms such as TikTok and Instagram unless they can pass tough new age checks which require photo ID. Ofcom's proposed new code of practice will also see tech firms fined billions of pounds if hey fail to protect children online. [vid…
@ofcom @ofcom on x
Tech firms must act to protect children online. Seriously harmful content has impacted children's online experiences for too long - and it can have devastating consequences. ➡️ Swipe to find out about the proposed steps we expect firms to take.
@ofcom @ofcom on x
Harmful content has devastated the lives of far too many. We want to thank these parents for telling their stories and campaigning for change. We will do everything we can to protect children and hold platforms to account. That's a promise we make to children and parents today.
@ldnvictimscomm @ldnvictimscomm on x
I welcome draft @ofcom measures which must be implemented swiftly. Children deserve to be protected and these families are using their experiences to fight for that right. I urge Govt and tech companies to work with them to deliver ambitious changes children need @mollyroseorg
@bbcbreakfast @bbcbreakfast on x
‘We are demanding proper age checks and radical changes to algorithms’ Ofcom, the UK media regulator, has set out new rules for tech firms designed to keep children safe online Chief Executive Melanie Dawes is on the #BBCBreakfast sofa for a special programme... [video]
@bbcbreakfast @bbcbreakfast on x
'Our stories are public but how many children have been affected that we don't know about?' Brianna Ghey's mother Esther is on the #BBCBreakfast sofa alongside other parents whose children's deaths have been linked to social media https://www.bbc.com/... [video]
@scitechgovuk @scitechgovuk on x
Today @ofcom has set out proposed steps on how children will be better protected under the Online Safety Act 🔒 These include robust age-checks, improving algorithms and better moderation of content by social media companies ✅ Read more 🔽 https://www.ofcom.org.uk/... [video]
@bbcbreakfast @bbcbreakfast on x
‘There is so much that needs to change’ On #BBCBreakfast Ofcom boss Dame Melanie Dawes spoke to Esther Ghey and Ian Russell about clamping down on harmful content on social media after the deaths of the children Brianna Ghey and Molly Russell https://www.bbc.com/... [video]
@abaonline @abaonline on x
📢📢Today, @Ofcom released draft Children's Safety Codes of Practice setting out how they expect online services meet their legal responsibilities to protect children online We'll be responding to this to this vital consultation 📱💻 https://www.ofcom.org.uk/... #onlinesafety [image]
@onlinesafetyact @onlinesafetyact on x
Ofcom has confirmed its intention to publish its draft children's safety codes of practice under the #OnlineSafetyAct2023 for consultation this week. It will also host a ‘Protection of Children’ 3-part webinar series. #OnlineSafety #OnlineHarms #eSafety #OSA23 #OSA2023 [image]
r/unitedkingdom r on reddit
Tame toxic algorithms to protect children, big tech told

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