UK Online age checks must be in force from today

Ofcom has said that sites and apps which allow harmful content must protect children from accessing it from the end of this week.

The changes mean that risky sites and apps – large and small – must use highly effective ‘age gating’ methods to identify which users are children, and then prevent them from accessing pornography, as well as self-harm, suicide and eating disorder content.

Ofcom is ready to enforce against any company which allows pornographic content and does not comply with age-check requirements by the deadline. 

Under our rules, sites that allow other forms of harmful content must also have highly effective age checks from 25th July 2025.

As well as preventing children from encountering the most harmful content relating to suicide, self-harm, eating disorders and pornography, Ofcom’s Codes also demand that online services act to protect children from dangerous stunts or challenges, misogynistic, violent, hateful or abusive material, and online bullying.

Even where sites and apps do not technically allow these types of harmful material under their terms of service, Ofcom’s research shows that such content can be all too prevalent. In particular, we know that content recommended in personalised ‘for you’ feeds represents children’s main pathway to encountering these harms. Ofcom Codes are clear, among other things, that algorithms must be tamed and configured for children so that the most harmful material is blocked.

Further details – https://www.ofcom.org.uk/online-safety/protecting-children/online-age-checks-must-be-in-force-from-tomorrow