Protecting children

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Age checks to protect children online

Published: 16 January 2025

Children will be prevented from encountering online pornography and protected from other types of harmful content under Ofcom’s new industry guidance which sets out how we expect sites and apps to introduce highly effective age assurance.

Enforcement Programme to protect children from encountering pornographic content through the use of age assurance

Published: 16 January 2025

Ofcom is opening an enforcement programme into age assurance measures across the adult sector, which will initially focus on regulated providers’ compliance with the Part 5 duties.

How children will be protected from accessing online pornography

Published: 29 November 2024

Last updated: 16 January 2025

The Online Safety Act introduces new rules to make sure children are protected from accessing pornography.

Quick guide to children’s access assessments

Published: 7 May 2024

Last updated: 16 January 2025

Children’s access assessments are a new assessment that all user-to user-services and search services (‘Part 3 services’) regulated under the Online Safety Act must carry out to establish whether a service – or part of a service – is likely to be accessed by children.

Statement: Age Assurance and Children’s Access

Published: 16 January 2025

Today we are publishing our Age Assurance and Children’s Access Statement, marking the first step in our Protection of Children work.

Understanding online communications among children

Published: 9 November 2023

Last updated: 16 December 2024

Ofcom has been conducting research to understand children’s experiences of communications online, including any uncomfortable or unwanted contact and receiving sexualised messages.

Consulting children about online safety

Published: 16 December 2024

Ofcom has been consulting with children to find out what they think about Ofcom’s proposals to improve online safety.

New rules for online services: what you need to know

Published: 27 February 2024

Last updated: 16 December 2024

The Online Safety Act makes businesses responsible for keeping people, especially children, safe online. Here’s what you need to know and do now.

Important dates for Online Safety compliance

Published: 17 October 2024

Last updated: 16 December 2024

The Online Safety Act makes companies that operate a wide range of online services legally responsible for keeping people, especially children, safe online. If you provide an online service, there are actions you must take when duties come into force. This page explains the important milestones.

Children's online 'user ages'

Published: 11 October 2022

Last updated: 28 November 2024

Research to understand to what extend children are bypassing age assurance measures.

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