Protecting Children Online: What the Online Safety Act Means for Parents”
The comedian James Veitch once said, “The internet gave us access to everything; but it also gave everything access to us.” This quote captures the paradox of our digital age. The internet provides us with the opportunity to connect globally, learn endlessly and explore virtually, but it also opens the door to harmful and disturbing content.
The Rise of Social Media and Exposure to Harm
In the past, harmful online material was often buried deep in the web, requiring deliberate searching. However, the explosion of social media in recent years has made the more sinister material available to a wider audience. Harmful material can now go viral, reaching wide audiences, including children, within seconds.
News headlines frequently report tragic consequences of children accessing harmful material online from self-harm to risky social media challenges. The law has been struggling to offer any real solution to safeguarding children.
The Online Safety Act 2023: A Step Forward
The Online Safety Act of 2023 offered some protection although it was limited, particularly in Part 10 which created offences for
- Threats to kill or cause serious harm
- Knowingly sending false information
- Sharing images of self-harm or Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM).
Whilst the Act made it illegal to send this material, it was not strong enough to protect children from accessing the material on social media feeds.
OFCOM’s Role: Enforcing Child Safety Online
In address this gap, the Act empowered OFCOM to issue codes of practice for providers of online services. These codes aim to reduce children’s exposure to harmful content and came into force on 25 July 2025.
Before this date, providers were required to:
- Complete and record a risk assessment by 24 July 2025
- Be ready to share this risk assessment with OFCOM on request.
From the 25 July 2025, service providers must use the safety measures issued by OFCOM to mitigate the risks they have identified in a “safety first” approach.
Key Safety Measures Required by OFCOM:
OFCOM’s codes outline several practical steps for online service providers:
- Reconfigure algorithms to filter out harmful material from recommender systems, such as “you may like this group/post”
- Implement effective age checks when users create an account to prevent younger children from accessing their service
- Have measures in place to review and tackle harmful material when it is reported
- Allow users to dislike or block content/groups to remove them from feeds
- Provide simple reporting tools for harmful material
- Appoint a named person who is accountable for child safety and conduct annual risk reviews.
Whilst these measures will assist in tackling material available via open sources, the legislation and OFCOM codes do not cover private messaging services, leaving a significant gap in protection.
What Can Parents Do?
Parents play a crucial role in identifying and responding to harmful content their children may encounter.
- For public posts or search results, report the offending material directly to the platform under the provisions imposed in the new Codes. If the material is not removed or continues to be shared, then you can report the material and the offending material to OFCOM.
- For direct messages or private chats, then the material needs to be reported to the Police. These messages would be covered under Part 10 of the Online Safety Act, allowing for investigation and potential prosecution of the sender.
The NSPCC provide some useful information on their website which can be found here.
Conclusion: Progress, But Not Perfection
While the Online Safety Act and OFCOM’s codes represent a major step forward, they are not fool proof. Parents must remain vigilant and proactive. The good news is that there are now clearer pathways to report and act on harmful content, whether through service providers, OFCOM, or law enforcement.
If you're concerned about your child's online safety or need guidance on reporting harmful content, don't hesitate to contact our legal team at JNP Legal. We're here to help you understand your rights and take action to protect your family.