Ofcom Criticises TikTok, YouTube Over Child Safety Concerns
Ofcom Criticises TikTok, YouTube Over Child Safety Concerns
The United Kingdom’s communications regulator, Ofcom, has criticised TikTok and YouTube, warning that the platforms’ content recommendation systems are “not safe enough” for children. The regulator made the remarks in a newly released report examining how major social media and video-sharing platforms protect younger users from harmful or inappropriate online content. According to Ofcom, the algorithms used by TikTok and YouTube continue to expose children to potentially harmful material despite repeated assurances from the companies about improving online safety standards. The watchdog said both platforms must strengthen safeguards to better protect minors from dangerous content recommendations. The report forms part of the UK’s broader enforcement of the Online Safety Act, legislation designed to hold technology companies accountable for harmful content accessible to children online. Ofcom specifically raised concerns about recommendation feeds that rapidly push sensitive or risky content to younger users based on viewing behaviour, warning that children can easily become trapped in harmful content cycles. The regulator said platforms should implement stronger age verification systems, improve content moderation processes, and provide more transparent safety measures for parents and guardians. In response, TikTok stated that it already maintains strict safety policies for teenage users and continues to invest heavily in moderation technology and parental control tools.YouTube also defended its child protection systems, saying it has introduced multiple safeguards including supervised accounts, restricted recommendations, and stricter policies on harmful material aimed at younger audiences. However, child safety campaigners argue that social media companies continue to prioritise user engagement and advertising revenue over the wellbeing of children and teenagers online. Digital rights groups have increasingly warned about the psychological impact of harmful online content, including material related to self-harm, eating disorders, violence, misinformation, and addictive behavioural patterns. Ofcom said it would continue monitoring compliance with the Online Safety Act and could impose sanctions or penalties on platforms that fail to meet required child protection standards
- Ofcom says TikTok and YouTube are “not safe enough” for children
- Concerns raised over harmful content recommendation systems
- Report linked to enforcement of UK Online Safety Act
- Regulator demands stronger child safety protections
- TikTok and YouTube defend existing safety measures
- Child safety advocates call for stricter oversight
- Algorithm-driven harmful content exposure
- Weak age verification systems
- Inadequate parental controls
- Insufficient moderation of dangerous material
- Addictive content recommendation loops
- Improve moderation systems
- Expand parental controls
- Restrict inappropriate content for teens
- Invest in online safety technology
- Introduced supervised accounts
- Limited harmful recommendations
- Expanded child-focused safety policies
- Enhanced content filtering tools
