The Online Safety Act places a legal requirement on Ofcom to consult my Office about the Children’s Safety Code and I made it very clear last year that its proposals were not strong enough to protect children from the multitude of harms they are exposed to online every day. I am disappointed to see this code has not been significantly strengthened and seems to prioritise the business interests of technology companies over children’s safety.
As Children’s Commissioner, I have spoken to more than a million young people as well as parents and school leaders, and the dangers of the online world remain one of their biggest concerns. I don’t believe this code will do enough to allay those fears.
If companies can’t make online spaces safe for children, then they shouldn’t be in them. Children should not be expected to police the online world themselves.
I urge Ofcom to ensure online protections mirror what children have told me they want to see. I will be urgently expressing my concerns about the Code with Ofcom.
