Ofcom review shows online safety laws have not reduced harm to children on social media

The Guardian · October 23, 2026Original source ↗

What happened

Ofcom conducted a review assessing the effectiveness of new online safety measures implemented in the UK. The review found that the proportion of children encountering harmful content on social media has not significantly changed in the first nine months of the new regulations.

Why it matters

This story highlights ongoing concerns about the effectiveness of online safety regulations for protecting children from harmful content on social media platforms.

How this story affects people

How does this story affect you if you are a parent of a child using social media?

This news highlights the ongoing risks your child faces online, as the proportion of children encountering harmful content has not decreased despite new regulations. You may need to take additional steps to monitor your child's social media use and discuss online safety with them.

How does this story affect you if you are a child safety advocate?

The findings from Ofcom's review underscore the need for more effective measures to protect children from harmful content on social media. This could prompt you to push for stronger regulations or alternative solutions to better safeguard young users online.

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