What's being done to help keep children safe online? Ask Ofcom expert - £200 voucher to be won

[MaddyMumsnet]

Created for Ofcom

The online world can feel overwhelming and, at times, unsafe for children - What measures are being taken to protect kids online? How can social media platforms prevent children from encountering harmful content? What steps can parents take to ensure their child's online safety?

• Everyone who shares a questions on the thread below by 28/6/24 will be entered into a prize draw
• One lucky Mumsnet user will win a £200 voucher for a store of their choice
• Almudena will be back on the week of the 8/7/24 to answer some of your questions

About Almudena, Online Safety Policy Director:
Almudena Lara has almost 20 years’ experience in online child protection, and has worked in private, public, regulatory and charity sectors. She joined Ofcom in 2023 with responsibility for child protection, and previously worked at Google and the NSPCC on creating better protections for children online.
Almudena said: "My focus is on tackling online harm by helping to make sure the right rules and resources are in place to protect people, especially children, from them. It's crucial that we act now to help build a safer life online for everyone."

Here’s what Ofcom has to say:
Ofcom is the UK's independent communications regulator, and we keep an eye on broadcast media, telecoms, post and spectrum. Under the Online Safety Act, we're now the UK's online safety regulator and have a responsibility to make online services safer for people who use them by making sure companies have effective systems in place to protect users from harm. We’re proposing measures like safer algorithms, effective age checks and better content moderation to help keep children safer on social media and tech platforms. This aims to protect children from seeing harmful content such as suicide, self-harm and pornography.

So whether you have a question on online age checks, safer algorithms or measures being taken to combat online bullying, post your question on this thread for our Ofcom Expert to answer.

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Insight Terms and Conditions apply

Could more pressure be placed on companies like YouTube and even Disney (there were pictures on the age 6 plus profile page last week but luckily you couldn't actually access Alien and Twilight) to make it easier to report and also fined if they're not removed quickly.

I realise they're not always based in the UK but they should have some responsibility on restricted profiles if children can access them here. On YouTube I find it impossible to report especially on mobiles/Roku/Smart TV and PS5. I don't think any action is taken to remove them quickly or at all.

What are good age appropriate websites to direct children to, to help them get advice and encourage them to make their own informed decisions?

@MaddyMumsnet hello, has a winner been drawn for this ? I have not entered my question, but they have been answered for those who have

Facebook and Instagram used to traffic children, and there's never repercussions for the site allowing this to go on.

@MaddyMumsnet hello - is it too late to ask a question - or has a winner been selected ? ty

Thank you for your questions. The winner of the prize draw is @chickenpotnoodle - congratulations!

Should more be done to stop kids being able to lie about there age?

How do you keep younger ones safe on you tube by filtering content. It seems they are targeted if they watch anyone particular videos with the algorithms. Is there a way of putting on more controls that still lets them watch it but knowing it’s more restricted?

I feel overwhelmed by the vast amount of online content. I know that I receive unwanted lewd, rude spam - how can I make sure my children are not subject to this, when I can't stop it myself?