Changing what children see online
In the past week, the landscape of child digital safety in the UK has changed dramatically. On April 24th, Ofcom finalised and published the country’s first comprehensive Children’s Online Safety Code under the Online Safety Act. This code, laid before Parliament and set to take effect from July 25, 2025, brings a new level of protection against harmful online content for children. Here’s what parents need to know about these urgent developments, the risks addressed, and the practical impact these rules will have on your child’s digital life.
What’s New This Week in Child Digital Safety?
Ofcom’s Children’s Online Safety Code: Published on April 24, 2025, this code sets out more than 40 practical measures that tech firms must implement to shield children from the most dangerous online content-such as suicide, self-harm, eating disorders, pornography, violence, and online bullying.
Deadline for Risk Assessments: All online services likely to be accessed by children now have until July 24, 2025, to complete and record a risk assessment on how their platforms might expose children to harmful content. From July 25, these services must apply Ofcom’s safety measures or face severe penalties.
Focus on Age Assurance: The new code expands the requirements for robust age checks. Platforms must use highly effective age assurance (HEAA) to keep under-18s away from adult content and must adapt these measures for different age groups and risk levels.
Algorithm and Feed Changes: Social media and content platforms must redesign their algorithms to filter out harmful content from children’s feeds, making it harder for dangerous material to “go viral” among young users.
Accountability: Every company must appoint a named person responsible for children’s safety and conduct annual reviews on how they manage digital risks for young users.
What Does This Mean for Your Family?
1. Safer Social Media and Search Feeds
From July, your child should see less exposure to the most harmful content, including suicide, self-harm, eating disorders, and pornography. Platforms are required to act quickly to remove such material and support children who have been exposed to it.
2. Stronger Age Verification
Expect stricter age checks when your child signs up for new services, especially those with adult or high-risk content. This includes gaming, video, and social media platforms.
3. More Control for Children
Children will have more tools to block, mute, or report unwanted contact and content. Some platforms will introduce default privacy settings to prevent strangers from contacting young users.
4. Real Accountability
If a company fails to comply, Ofcom can fine them up to £18 million or 10% of global revenue, or even seek to block their service in the UK.
Practical Digital Safety Steps for Parents (May 2025)
Talk to Your Child: Discuss the types of harmful content they might encounter and encourage them to report anything that makes them uncomfortable.
Use Parental Controls: Set up parental controls and privacy settings on all devices and platforms your child uses. Familiarise yourself with the new tools that will be rolling out as a result of the code. Use Big Sister! Sign up now.
Monitor and Support: Stay engaged with your child’s digital life. Ask about their online experiences and help them use reporting and blocking features.
Stay Updated: Visit Ofcom’s parent advice pages for the latest information about the new rules and how they affect your child’s online experience.
Why This Matters Now
With nearly 60% of teens having seen harmful content online in the past month, these new rules are a direct response to an urgent problem. The Children’s Online Safety Code is the UK’s most ambitious attempt yet to make the internet a safer place for young people-and it’s happening right now.
For more guidance and updates on child digital safety, keep following Big Sister. The digital world is changing fast, but with the right knowledge and tools, you can help your child navigate it safely.
At Big Sister, we advocate for children's safety online. Our app marks a positive change in the way that our children are protected online, using flags and alerts to warn parents of dangerous content without breaking down trust and privacy barriers between children and adults.
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