TikTok, YouTube lag on UK child safety as rivals act, regulator says

• TikTok was cited most often for harmful content exposure, followed by YouTube, with their recommendation feeds identified as the main route through which children encounter harm
• Snap, Meta, and Roblox committed to new protections including blocking adult strangers from contacting children by default, AI tools to detect suspicious conversations, and parental controls on messaging
• 84% of children aged 8-12 use services requiring users to be at least 13, highlighting weak age verification enforcement; Ofcom called for clearer legal requirements to keep underage users off platforms

Summary: UK Regulator Criticizes TikTok and YouTube on Child Safety Measures

Key Findings:

UK media regulator Ofcom released a critical assessment on May 21, finding TikTok and Alphabet's YouTube have failed to implement meaningful child safety protections, despite widespread evidence of harm on their platforms.

Critical Data Points:

• 73% of children aged 11-17 were exposed to harmful content over a four-week period, primarily through personalized recommendation feeds
• YouTube is used by 67% of UK children, TikTok by 60%
• 95% of children use at least one social media or video-sharing service
• 84% of children aged 8-12 access platforms requiring users to be at least 13

Company Responses:

TikTok and YouTube defended their existing safety systems as sufficient, with both expressing disappointment at Ofcom's assessment. However, the regulator maintains their feeds "are still not safe enough."

In contrast, Snap, Meta, and Roblox have committed to stronger protections:

• Snap will block adult strangers from contacting children by default and expand age verification
• Meta plans new teen account controls and AI tools to detect suspicious conversations
• Roblox will enable parents to disable direct messaging for under-16s

Regulatory Context:

Nearly one year after the UK's Online Safety Act took effect, Ofcom reports little improvement in children's exposure to harmful content. The regulator is urging the government to strengthen legislation, noting current laws don't clearly mandate keeping underage users off platforms.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer is pushing social media companies toward greater responsibility, with the UK consulting on potential measures including an Australia-style ban on social media for under-16s.