Key facts
- Ofcom admitted its rules have so far had an impact falling short of expectations.
- The full rollout of the Online Safety Act's implementation has been delayed to 2027.
- Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a ban on under-16s accessing Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X by spring 2027.
- Ofcom will oversee the age assurance regime underpinning the ban on under-16s.
- 84% of 8-12 year olds reported using top online services despite minimum age requirements of 13+.
- Around 73% of 11-17 year olds reported seeing or hearing harmful content online in a four-week period.
Ofcom has acknowledged that its efforts to enforce the Online Safety Act have not met expectations, leading to a delay in the full implementation of the legislation until 2027. The regulator's findings indicate systemic failures by platforms in enforcing minimum age rules, with a significant percentage of underage children accessing services like YouTube, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat. Around 84% of 8-12 year olds reported using these platforms despite their 13+ age limit. Furthermore, approximately 73% of 11-17 year olds encountered harmful content online within a four-week period, with personalized feeds and algorithmic recommendation systems identified as key drivers of exposure. Many platforms, including TikTok and YouTube, have not committed to changes regarding safer feeds, citing their existing safety measures. In a significant development, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced plans to prohibit under-16s from accessing Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X by spring 2027, with Ofcom tasked with overseeing the age assurance regime. This move marks a substantial expansion of the Act's scope, requiring platforms to adapt their compliance strategies within a tight timeframe. Ofcom is also conducting a study on effective age assurance methods, such as facial scanning and documentary ID verification, which will shape technical standards for compliance.