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Ofcom has released a report sharply criticizing TikTok and YouTube, stating that their content feeds remain “not safe enough” for children. The UK’s communications regulator raised concerns about the effectiveness of these platforms in protecting young users, particularly highlighting their failure to enforce minimum age restrictions adequately. This warning comes amid an ongoing government consultation considering whether to ban social media use for under-16s.
In contrast, companies like Meta, Snap, and Roblox have agreed to implement stronger anti-grooming measures. For example, Snap, the owner of Snapchat, plans to block adult strangers from contacting children by default in the UK and introduce robust age verification methods by this summer. Roblox will give parents the option to disable direct messaging entirely for users under 16, while Meta will hide teens’ Instagram friend lists by default and employ AI tools to detect inappropriate conversations in direct messages. Despite this progress, Ofcom insists these steps must be quickly and thoroughly implemented, threatening regulatory action if companies fail to meet their promises.
Both TikTok and YouTube responded by emphasizing the safety features already available on their platforms. TikTok highlighted its policy of disabling direct messages for users under 16, while YouTube pointed to features such as the short-form video timer that allows parents to limit how long children can scroll through Shorts. However, Ofcom criticized both for not committing to significant changes aimed at reducing the harmful content reaching young audiences. Social media analyst Matt Navarra noted a shift in thinking: the real issue is no longer just removing harmful content quickly, but questioning why children are shown such content in the first place.
The Education Committee has also weighed in, supporting a ban on social media use for those under 16 and calling for urgent measures to limit features that encourage excessive screen time among under-18s. Chair Helen Hayes MP emphasized the need for a “total reset,” declaring, “Only a statutory ban on social media for under-16s, as well as restrictions on addictive and high-risk features for under-18s, will keep children safe from harm.” Alongside Ofcom’s report, these statements signal increasing pressure on tech companies to prioritize children’s safety over commercial interests
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