Ofcom Announces New Rules For Tech Firms To Protect Children Online

Social media platforms and websites will beryllium legally required to protect children from accessing harmful contented online aliases consequence facing fines, nan communications watchdog has said.

Ofcom has published caller regulations - known arsenic nan Children's Codes- that will require tech firms to instate property verification checks and alteration algorithm rcommendations to proceed operating successful nan UK.

Sites must adhere to nan standards by 25 July. Any tract which hosts pornography, aliases contented which encourages self-harm, termination aliases eating disorders must person robust property checks successful spot to protect children from accessing that content.

Ofcom leader Dame Melanie Dawes says nan codes will create "safer societal media feeds".

Some critics nevertheless opportunity nan restrictions don't spell acold enough, calling it a "bitter pill for bereaved parents to swallow".

Ian Russell, Chair of nan Molly Rose Foundation, which was group up successful honour of his girl who took her ain life aged 14, said he was "dismayed by nan deficiency of ambition" successful nan codes.

But Prof Victoria Baines, a erstwhile information serviceman astatine Facebook told nan BBC it is "a measurement successful nan correct direction".

Talking to BBC Radio 4's Today Programme connected Thursday, she said: "Big tech companies are really getting to grips pinch it , truthful they are putting money down it, and much importantly they're putting group down it."

Under nan Codes, algorithms must besides beryllium configured to select retired harmful contented from children's feeds and recommendations.

As good arsenic nan property checks, location will besides beryllium much streamlined reporting and complaints systems, and platforms will beryllium required to return faster action successful assessing and tackling harmful contented erstwhile they are made alert if it.

All platforms must besides person a "named personification accountable for children's safety", and nan guidance of consequence to children should beryllium reviewed annually by a elder body.

If companies neglect to abide by nan regulations put to them by 24 July, Ofcom said it has "the powerfulness to enforce fines and – successful very superior cases – use for a tribunal bid to forestall nan tract aliases app from being disposable successful nan UK."