Britain’s landmark online safety regulations are facing renewed scrutiny after a review by Ofcom found that children’s exposure to harmful social media content remained largely unchanged during the first nine months of the new rules. The findings have raised serious questions about whether technology companies are doing enough to protect young users from the darker corners of the digital world.
The regulator found “no significant change” in the proportion of children encountering harmful material after child safety duties under the Online Safety Act came into force in July 2025. Nor was there evidence of any change in the severity of harm reported by children.
Among the most concerning findings was the continued role of personalised recommendation systems, including the “For You” feeds used by platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. These algorithms were repeatedly identified as pathways through which children encountered graphic pornography, violent imagery, suicide-related material, and content promoting misogyny and racism. Some young users reported feeling frightened, confused or distressed by what appeared on their screens.
An Ofcom spokesperson told Asian Voice, “Our report on content harmful to children clearly shows that tech firms need to go much further and faster to protect children online
“This is an industry that’s been unregulated and unaccountable for more than 20 years. And so while significant progress is being made - including the introduction of widespread age checks, stronger protections against grooming, and tougher safeguards against child sexual exploitation and abuse - we’re under no illusion that there is much for the industry still to do.
“We've shown that tech firms that don’t comply with their duties can expect enforcement action.”
The findings come amid growing concern about social media’s impact on children’s mental health. Ofcom has recommended adding body stigma and depression-related content to the list of priority harms recognised under the UK’s Online Safety Act.
Under the proposal, these categories would be formally recognised in law as priority harms to children. Technology companies whose platforms are used by children would be required to assess the risks posed by such content and take proactive measures to prevent young users from being exposed to it.
Minister horrified by disturbing online material
The urgency of the issue was underscored by Safeguarding Minister Satvir Kaur, who said she was left in tears after watching Sky News’ documentary ‘The Com’. The investigation examined a dangerous online network associated with harmful content and activities targeting children.
Kaur described the material as “harrowing”, saying, “Oh my god, I didn’t sleep last night because my job is literally dealing with your worst nightmares. But that is beyond your worst nightmares.”
She added, “I actually cried. Definitely some of the worst content I have ever seen.”
The investigation exposed disturbing material across social media and gaming platforms, prompting companies to remove content identified by the broadcaster. However, a follow-up investigation found that some harmful material remained accessible.
On Roblox, investigators found self-harm-themed avatars available for purchase, including to very young users. Some reportedly remained available a month after the initial investigation. Harmful material also continued to appear on TikTok when using an account configured for a 13-year-old, while publicly accessible groups associated with The Com remained on Discord and Telegram.
Asked whether technology companies were failing to scrutinise their platforms adequately, Kaur replied, “Absolutely, they’re not.”
She criticised companies for offering assurances without delivering sufficient results, adding that the government would intervene where platforms failed to act decisively.
While Kaur did not explicitly endorse amendments to the Online Safety Act, she backed measures that would strengthen child protection and urged Ofcom to use its existing enforcement powers. She also highlighted proposals for device controls designed to prevent children from sending nude images.
Ofcom said it had launched investigations into more than 100 websites and apps, with fines totalling more than £7 million so far.
Social media ban is not the whole solution
The findings arrive ahead of a proposed UK ban on social media for under-16s, expected from next spring. The restrictions are intended to cover platforms including Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat, Facebook and X, while excluding messaging services such as WhatsApp and Signal.
A government spokesperson told Asian Voice that platforms must do more, adding that the government intends to restrict social media access for under-16s and strengthen protections against harmful features, including livestreaming and communications with strangers across a range of services.
The spokesperson said companies had both a moral and legal responsibility to protect children.
Police Chief calls for stronger online safeguards for children
According to NPCC Lead for Child Protection and Abuse Investigation, Acting Chief Constable Becky Riggs, online and offline harm are increasingly interconnected. She said, “Offenders continue to exploit platforms that are popular with children, using features such as direct messaging, private groups, live-streaming and anonymous profiles to make contact and build trust. They often seek to move conversations quickly into private or encrypted spaces where grooming and exploitation can take place with reduced visibility.
“We increasingly see offending that spans multiple platforms and blurs the boundary between online and offline harm. What begins as online contact can develop into sexual exploitation, coercive control, blackmail or in-person abuse. Children may not always recognise these behaviours as grooming, making early intervention and education critical.
She also discussed the extent of AI affecting the nature of online child abuse and exploitation saying, “we are seeing growing evidence of offenders using AI-enabled technologies to create sexualised images, manipulate existing images, impersonate children and young people, and enhance grooming and deception tactics.
“As the technology develops, policing expects its use within child sexual abuse and exploitation (CSAE) offending to increase, making it essential that safeguards, legislation and industry responses evolve at the same pace.
About the challenges police face when investigating these offences, she offers the perspective that these investigations are often complex, involving multiple platforms, jurisdictions and service providers. She said, “Offenders frequently move between services, including encrypted platforms, making it more difficult to identify perpetrators, gather evidence and safeguard victims quickly.” She also adds that the emergence of AI-generated material adds further complexity, particularly in establishing origin, attributing offending and understanding the full extent of harm.
Asked if technology companies doing enough she offers that while many organisations have introduced measures to improve safety, there is always more to do. “This includes effective age assurance, safer default settings for children, robust moderation, proactive detection of abusive activity and designing platforms in ways that make it harder for offenders to identify, contact and exploit young people”, she said.
How effective are current reporting mechanisms? According to Chief Riggs, while many platforms provide routes for reporting concerns, there remains inconsistency across services and reporting processes can be difficult for children, parents and carers to navigate. Greater consistency, accessibility and information-sharing can help ensure that reports lead quickly to both safeguarding and investigative action where required.
Parents must keep pace with the digital world to protect their children
Parven Kaur, founder of Kids N Clicks, an initiative dedicated to helping parents, children and educators navigate the digital world safely and responsibly, said, "Children are growing up in a digital environment that was never designed with their safety as the priority. Parents are constantly playing catch-up, trying to understand new apps, gaming platforms, viral trends and now artificial intelligence.
“The Online Safety Act is an important step forward, particularly with stronger age verification requirements. However, legislation alone is not enough. We need to question why children are still encountering harmful content, being contacted by strangers and exposed to algorithms that prioritise engagement over their wellbeing.
“My biggest concern is the rapid development of AI. Children are forming emotional attachments to AI chatbots, sometimes receiving inappropriate or dangerous advice. AI-generated sexualised images are another deeply worrying development, where children's photographs can be manipulated without their knowledge or consent.
“Technology companies must take greater responsibility. Safety must be built into platforms from the beginning, with meaningful regulatory enforcement.
“For parents, my advice is to start conversations about online safety early. But equally important is keeping up with what your children are doing online, including the latest viral trends, apps and challenges. You cannot have meaningful conversations about risks you don't understand.
“This is exactly what we do at Kids N Clicks. Our free digital parenting app helps parents stay informed about emerging online trends and risks. We also deliver specialised training programmes that help parents understand these complex issues and navigate them confidently.
“Ultimately, protecting children online must be a shared responsibility between technology companies, regulators, schools and families. Children's safety must always come before profit."
