TikTok And YouTube 'Not Safe Enough' For Children, Says Ofcom

TikTok and YouTube have come under criticism from communications regulator Ofcom, which says both platforms have failed to take sufficient action to improve online safety for children.

The watchdog had asked several major platforms to outline measures aimed at strengthening age checks, preventing online grooming and reducing children's exposure to harmful content.

While Snapchat, Roblox and Meta — which owns Facebook and Instagram — committed to introducing additional safety measures, Ofcom said TikTok and YouTube had not proposed significant changes and maintained their platforms were already safe for younger users.

Ofcom said research suggests personalised content feeds remain the main way children encounter harmful material online.

Its latest findings showed seven in ten children aged 11 to 17 reported seeing harmful content online, with only a small number saying they told an adult.

The regulator said it remains concerned that social media companies are not doing enough to prevent underage users accessing platforms or to address the impact of algorithms on young people’s online experiences.

Ofcom says it is prepared to take enforcement action if companies fail to improve protections, as ministers continue consulting on possible new rules around children’s use of social media.

ORIGINAL STORY LINK: https://news.sky.com/story/tiktok-and-youtube-not-safe-enough-for-children-says-ofcom-13546491