Ofcom criticized TikTok and YouTube for serving content feeds that are not safe enough for children. The regulator’s findings followed a call for stronger action on children’s online safety and noted that Meta, Snap, and Roblox agreed to stronger anti-grooming measures. Ofcom said it would raise concerns with the government about whether sites effectively enforce minimum age rules. The government consultation on banning social media for under-16s was nearing its end. YouTube said it works with child safety experts to provide age-appropriate experiences. TikTok said Ofcom failed to acknowledge its safety features. Both companies pointed to existing tools such as restrictions on direct messaging and parent-set time limits. Ofcom said it remained deeply concerned and cited survey results showing many children still use services with minimum age requirements.
"Ofcom has criticised TikTok and YouTube, saying in a new report their content feeds are "not safe enough" for children. The findings follow the regulator's call for stronger action on children's online safety, and said Meta, Snap and Roblox had each agreed to stronger anti-grooming measures. Ofcom added it would share concerns that sites were not effectively enforcing minimum age rules with the government, whose consultation on whether to ban social media for under-16s soon ends."
""Notably, TikTok and YouTube failed to commit to any significant changes to reduce harmful content being served to children, maintaining their feeds are already safe for children," it said. "Our wealth of evidence, published today, suggests they are still not safe enough." In response, TikTok and YouTube pointed to safety features already in place on their apps - including TikTok stopping direct messaging for under-16s and YouTube's short-form video timer, where parents can set time limits for the scrolling Shorts feed."
"Ofcom Chief Executive Dame Melanie Dawes said the regulator was "deeply concerned" companies were still failing to take the necessary action to keep underage children off their platforms. A survey by the regulator found 84% of children aged eight to 12 were still using at least one major service with a minimum age of 13, as it warned stronger legislation may"
Read at www.bbc.com
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