UK Authorities Urge Meta, TikTok, Snap & YouTube to Block Child Access

• Companies face fines up to 10% of global revenue (Ofcom) or 4% of annual turnover (ICO) for non-compliance with child safety requirements
• Regulators cite concerns about algorithmic feeds exposing children to harmful content and platforms failing to enforce their own minimum age rules of 13
• The move follows the ICO's recent fine of Reddit for £14.5 million for inadequate age verification, as the UK considers broader restrictions similar to Australia's under-16 social media ban

Summary

UK regulators have issued urgent demands to major social media platforms to strengthen child safety measures, warning of significant penalties for non-compliance. On March 12, Ofcom and the Information Commissioner's Office (ICO) ordered Meta, TikTok, Snap, YouTube, and Roblox to demonstrate by April 30 how they will improve age verification and protect minors.

Key Requirements:

• Tighten age verification checks
• Restrict stranger contact with children
• Make algorithmic feeds safer
• Stop testing new products on minors

Regulatory Context:

This action represents the latest implementation phase of Britain's Online Safety Act, as the UK considers following Australia's approach to potentially ban under-16s from social media platforms entirely. Regulators expressed growing concern about algorithmic feeds exposing children to harmful and addictive content.

Enforcement Powers:

• Ofcom can impose fines up to 10% of companies' qualifying global revenue
• ICO can issue penalties up to 4% of global annual turnover
• Recent precedent: ICO fined Reddit £14.5 million last month for inadequate age checks and unlawful processing of children's data

Official Statements:

Ofcom CEO Melanie Dawes criticized platforms as "failing to put children's safety at the heart of their products," while ICO's Paul Arnold emphasized that "modern, viable" age-assurance technology exists, leaving companies "no excuse" for inaction.

The regulators specifically called out platforms for not enforcing their own minimum age requirements (typically 13 years old) and demanded immediate implementation of available age-verification technologies. Companies face imminent regulatory action if they fail to comply with the April 30 deadline.