UK’s online safety regime under fire: Children’s Coalition urges stronger protections and accountability
In April 2025, the Children’s Coalition for Online Safety, a group of over 20 leading child protection organisations, issued a powerful joint statement urging the UK government and Ofcom to significantly strengthen the country’s online safety regulatory framework. This coalition, made up of child welfare experts, digital safety advocates, and bereaved families affected by online harm, argues that while the Online Safety Act marks a positive first step, the current implementation falls dangerously short of protecting children from abuse, exploitation, and harm online.
The coalition has actively supported the Act since its passage and collaborated with Ofcom and government stakeholders. However, they express alarm that the Illegal Harms Codes of Practice, which came into effect in March 2025, were watered down from their draft versions due to tech industry lobbying. These codes are meant to form the backbone of the regulatory regime, but instead of enhancing protections, they have largely codified the status quo.
Even more troubling are reports suggesting that child safety provisions may be compromised further during international trade negotiations aimed at boosting UK tech innovation. The coalition warns that economic ambition must not override child protection, and asserts that the UK’s aspiration to lead in digital innovation should go hand-in-hand with making the country the safest place in the world for children online.
The coalition’s three core demands
-
Set ambitious and measurable safety standards
The coalition emphasizes that Ofcom’s codes should not merely reflect current industry practices. They must go beyond “tick-box” solutions, and require platforms to embed safety-by-design features throughout their services. This includes removing legal safe harbours for platforms that fail to take adequate safety measures, and implementing age-appropriate safeguards that ensure children are not exposed to harmful content or interactions. -
Speed up the development of future codes
While the coalition commends Ofcom for delivering the first round of codes on time, it criticizes the slow pace of subsequent updates. With digital threats evolving rapidly, they argue that waiting several years for new codes is inadequate. Instead, they call for a new set of codes to be developed and implemented within 12 months, and stress the importance of equal weight being given to civil society and industry input during consultations. -
Introduce stronger oversight and parliamentary accountability
To ensure the regime remains responsive and credible, the coalition proposes the creation of a Joint Committee on Digital Regulation. This body would bring together parliamentarians with technical and policy experts to provide ongoing scrutiny of Ofcom’s decisions and ensure that the public interest—particularly the safety of children—remains at the heart of regulation.
A call to action
The joint statement reflects a growing sense of urgency and public frustration, especially following widespread national debate sparked by the TV series Adolescence, which spotlighted the real-life consequences of digital harms on youth. According to the coalition, Ofcom’s current approach of normalising existing practices fails to meet the moment.
They call on the Government and Ofcom to act decisively and courageously—to reject watered-down compromises and commit to building a regulatory framework that is robust, forward-looking, and child-centered. Only through clear standards, fast action, and rigorous accountability can the UK truly claim to be a global leader in online child safety.
Signatories
The joint statement is signed by a wide range of respected organisations and individuals, including:
-
5Rights Foundation
-
NSPCC
-
Barnardo’s
-
Internet Watch Foundation (IWF)
-
Anti-Bullying Alliance
-
Marie Collins Foundation
-
End Violence Against Women (EVAW) Coalition
-
As well as family members who have personally lost children due to online harms, adding a deeply emotional and personal call for reform.
🔗 To explore the full joint statement, including detailed recommendations and the full list of signatories, access the original report by the Children’s Coalition for Online Safety here.