Ofcom Failing to Protect Children from Online Harms 2026

Ofcom is failing to protect children from online harms, according to a new report that shows the proportion of children viewing harmful content has remained unchanged despite the Online Safety Act. The media regulator's findings, released last week, reveal that high-priority material including pornography and self-harm content is still regularly encountered by minors, nine months after new safety duties came into force.

The report has sparked dismay among campaigners who say the mammoth task of safeguarding children online has barely begun. The fact that harmful content exposure has not decreased is a stark indicator that current regulatory measures are insufficient.

What the Ofcom Report Found

Ofcom's research focused on the nine-month period after new safety duties were implemented under the Online Safety Act. It found that children continued to encounter high-priority harmful content such as pornography and self-harm material, as well as a broader category covering bullying, abuse, and the promotion of violence.

Personalised feeds were identified as the main way such content was presented to children. The regulator noted that these feeds show different material to boys and girls, with girls and children with special educational needs or disabilities more commonly seeing suicide and self-harm content.

Why Personalised Feeds Are a Key Problem

Personalised feeds, driven by algorithms, are designed to maximize engagement by showing users content they are likely to interact with. However, this can lead to children being exposed to harmful material that they might not have sought out.

The fact that feeds show different content based on gender and other factors raises concerns about targeted harm. Girls, for instance, are more likely to see suicide and self-harm content, which can have devastating consequences.

The Human Cost: A Coroner's Ruling

In a grim irony, Ofcom's report was published one day after a coroner in Norfolk ruled that suicide imagery viewed on TikTok "may have played a significant part" in the decision by a 14-year-old girl to take her own life in May. This case underscores the real-world impact of online harms and the urgent need for effective regulation.

The ruling highlights the failure of platforms to prevent harmful content from reaching vulnerable children, and the failure of regulators to enforce meaningful change.

Why the Online Safety Act Isn't Working

The Online Safety Act was supposed to usher in a new era of accountability for tech companies. Significant resources were invested in the legislation, with the understanding that after two decades of extraordinary freedom, platforms would finally be held to account.

However, the Act's implementation appears to be falling short. Campaigners expressed dismay but not surprise at the findings, suggesting that the measures lack teeth or are not being enforced vigorously enough.

• Children's exposure to harmful content has not decreased since new safety duties began.
• Personalised feeds are the primary vector for harmful content, with different impacts on boys and girls.
• Girls and children with special educational needs are more likely to see suicide and self-harm material.
• A recent coroner's ruling linked a teenager's suicide to TikTok content, highlighting real-world consequences.
• Campaigners are dismayed but not surprised, indicating systemic regulatory failure.

What Needs to Change

To effectively protect children, Ofcom must take a more proactive and stringent approach. This includes enforcing penalties for non-compliance, requiring platforms to redesign algorithms to prioritize safety over engagement, and ensuring transparency in how content is moderated.

Additionally, there needs to be greater collaboration between regulators, tech companies, and child safety experts to develop robust solutions. The current situation demands urgent action, not just more reports.

FAQ

The situation is deeply concerning, and it is clear that the current approach is not working. As the Online Safety Act continues to be implemented, it is crucial that Ofcom learns from these findings and takes decisive action to protect children.

The recent ruling in Norfolk serves as a tragic reminder of the stakes involved. It is not enough to pass legislation; it must be enforced effectively. The UK's online safety bill was meant to be a world-leading response to online harms, but without proper enforcement, it risks becoming a missed opportunity.

In the broader context of global efforts to regulate tech platforms, the UK's experience highlights the challenges of reining in powerful companies. The EU's failure to act on growing public criticism of Israel is a separate but related issue of regulatory accountability. Similarly, Meta being ordered to pay $567M over children's mental health harms shows that legal action can hold platforms accountable, but it is often reactive rather than preventive.

The online abuse of women and the failure of platforms and police to support victims is another symptom of the same systemic problem: a lack of effective oversight and enforcement. These cases illustrate that without robust regulation, harmful behaviors persist and victims suffer.

As we look to the future, it is essential that Ofcom and other regulators prioritize the safety of vulnerable users. The EU's inaction on public criticism and Meta's hefty fine are part of a larger pattern of regulatory struggles. The failure to address online abuse of women further underscores the need for a comprehensive approach.

Ultimately, the protection of children online requires more than just legislation; it demands a cultural shift within tech companies and a commitment from regulators to enforce the rules. The EU's failure to act and Meta's financial penalty are reminders that accountability is possible, but it must be consistent and proactive. The online abuse of women is a clear example of what happens when platforms and authorities fail to act.