Ofcom, the UK’s communications regulator, has called on social media platforms to take more responsibility in preventing harmful content from reaching children through their algorithms. This call comes as Ofcom publishes its draft children’s safety codes of practice, which sets out the new standards that tech giants will be expected to follow under the Online Safety Act to protect children online.
However, two mothers who tragically lost their children due to dangerous social media challenges have expressed their disappointment with Ofcom for not listening to grieving parents. Sky News spoke to Hollie Battersbee, mother of 12-year-old Archie, who died after a “prank or experiment” went wrong, and Lisa Kenevan, mother of 13-year-old Isaac, who is believed to have died after participating in a choke challenge on social media.
“It is too late, our boys have gone but Ofcom should really step up and hold their feet to the fire step in fast to stop the content being in there in the first place,” said Ms. Kenevan. Both mothers were instrumental in campaigning for the Online Safety Act, which was passed by the government last October and gave Ofcom new enforcement powers. However, they are frustrated by the slow pace of progress in implementing the Act.
Ofcom’s draft code of conduct includes measures such as robust age checks, improved complaints procedures, and a commitment from social media platforms to take action against harmful content recommended by their algorithms. Failure to comply could result in fines of up to 10% of a company’s global turnover.
Ofcom’s chief executive, Dame Melanie Dawes, emphasized the urgency of the situation and urged the tech industry to take action before the codes are enforceable. “Over the next few years, we will see that change and we are going to drive it forward with every possible tool that we’ve got,” she said.
In response to criticism from bereaved families and victim groups for excluding them from consultations, Dame Melanie stated that they have spoken to over 15,000 children and 7,000 parents during the development of the codes. She also appealed to families who have lost children to continue working with Ofcom to ensure the effectiveness of the codes.
For the parents of Archie and Isaac, the fear of how many more children are at risk is ever-present. “While these laws are trying to be put in place, unfortunately there are more and more children dying,” said Ms. Kenevan. Similarly, Esther Ghey, mother of Brianna Ghey, who was brutally murdered by two teenagers in Warrington, has called on mobile phone companies to take responsibility for what children view online. Ms. Ghey has started a petition for greater regulation for mobile phone companies and access to mindfulness therapies for young people.
“It would be great if we could have, at point of purchase, software that helps parents monitor what their children are doing,” said Ms. Ghey. She added that there is software available that can flag concerning words and alert parents if their child is viewing harmful content. “The parent can then be responsible for their child and do something about it,” she said.
The full interview with Ms. Ghey can be watched on The UK Tonight on Sky News at 8pm on Wednesday.
