Ofcom's new guidelines for tech firms "don't go far enough"
The bereaved families for online safety group say they're "frustrated" with how slow progress is at eliminating harmful online content
A woman from Essex who lost her son after it was believed he took part in a social media challenge - says Ofcom's online safety regulations "don't go far enough"
Ofcom has published its first-edition codes of practice and guidance on tackling illegal harms online, bringing into force the first set of duties on tech firms under the UK’s Online Safety Act.
Platforms now have three months to assess the risk of their users encountering illegal content and activity.
After that, they will need to start implementing safety measures to mitigate those risks, and our codes set out measures they can take to do that.
They've said: "While we will offer to help providers comply with these new duties, we are gearing up to take early enforcement action against any platforms that ultimately fall short.
"Today’s codes and guidance are part of a much wider package of protections, with further proposed measures and duties coming into force in the new year.
Hollie Dance told Greatest Hits Radio she thinks these enforcements "don't go far enough".
"For the sake of children's future and anymore children harmed, it is so important we get this right. Your profit should not be your priority, the public's children and their safety should be at the top of your list."
Ms Dance's son, Archie Battersbee was 12 years old when he suffered brain injuries in their home in Southend in 2022. It was believed he took part in a "blackout challenge" but his mother said she "couldn't be sure".
He died four months later after Ms Dance lost a battle to keep him on life support.
Ms Dance tells us, "I personally don't feel the rules go far enough. I can't get my head round how some of the misinformation that is uploaded is not being screened.
"It would make so much more sense to screen videos before allowing them onto your platform."
A member of the Bereaved Families for Online Safety group, Lisa Kenevan, has also been talking to Greatest Hits Radio.
"Obviously this hits really personally, many of us have lost children to the dangers of social media."
Ms Kenevan's son Isaac, 13, died after it was believed he took part in a choke challenge on social media.
"On the face of it it is a positive space, but it must back meaningful enforcement."
"As a group we're finding it very frustrating. The code should ensure that all the platforms act quickly to remove harmful content."
"It also needs to make sure it prevents harmful videos from going up in the first place."
Dame Melanie Dawes, Ofcom’s Chief Executive, said: “For too long, sites and apps have been unregulated, unaccountable and unwilling to prioritise people’s safety over profits. That changes from today.
“The safety spotlight is now firmly on tech firms and it’s time for them to act. We’ll be watching the industry closely to ensure firms match up to the strict safety standards set for them under our first codes and guidance, with further requirements to follow swiftly in the first half of next year.
“Those that come up short can expect Ofcom to use the full extent of our enforcement powers against them.”