Ofcom’s Child Safety Measures and the Online Safety Act

As part of the UK government’s ongoing commitment to protecting children online,

Ofcom has introduced new codes of practice designed to make the digital world

safer for young people. These codes form a crucial part of the Online Safety Act

2023 and set clear rules and expectations for organisations, platforms and service

providers that host user-generated content or enable online interaction.

What are Ofcom’s Codes of Practice?

Ofcom’s codes provide practical guidance and mandatory standards for online

services to tackle harmful content, protect children from risks such as bullying,

sexual exploitation and exposure to inappropriate material, and promote safer digital

environments. They include measures around content moderation, age verification,

reporting mechanisms and transparency for users.

How do these codes support safeguarding?

• Stronger protections: Platforms will be required to proactively identify and remove illegal and harmful content that affects children.

  
  

• Age assurance: Services will implement robust age verification processes to ensure that children are not exposed to unsuitable content.

  
  

• Clear reporting: Reporting tools that are easy to use and will help children, parents and staff flag concerns quickly.

  
  

• Transparency and accountability: Platforms must be transparent about how they manage risks and respond to complaints, giving organisations better insights to safeguard children.

  
  

For schools, charities and youth organisations, these codes will complement existing safeguarding policies by requiring a review of the digital tools used to ensure they meet the new standards. This will lead to safer online learning environments and stronger support for young people who may face risks in digital spaces.

For more information and guidance, visit Ofcom’s website: Home - Ofcom

We offer a range of online safety training courses for teachers, parents and governors.