Key facts
- Ofcom found no significant change in children's exposure to harmful social media content since July 2025.
- Personalized recommendation algorithms were identified as a root cause of continued exposure to harmful material.
- Harmful content includes pornography, serious violence, suicide material, racism, and misogyny.
- Child protection charity NSPCC reported alarming rates of exposure and a high volume of calls for help.
- The UK plans to ban social media services for under-16s from next spring.
The UK's online regulator, Ofcom, has found that landmark online safety measures have failed to significantly reduce the proportion of children exposed to harmful content on social media platforms. In a review of the first nine months following the implementation of strict requirements in July 2025, Ofcom observed no substantial change in children encountering material such as pornography, graphic violence, and content promoting suicide, racism, and misogyny. Personalized recommendation algorithms on platforms like TikTok and Instagram were repeatedly identified as a key factor in the continued flow of dangerous material. Child protection charities have expressed alarm at the findings, stating that progress is too slow and that tech companies are prioritizing business interests over child safety.