What's happened
The UK’s Online Safety Act is set to reshape the internet by imposing stricter regulations on tech firms to protect children from harmful content. Ofcom has published draft Children's Safety Codes of Practice, which include robust age verification and algorithm adjustments to prevent exposure to harmful material. Aylo, Pornhub's parent company, has also backed new standards to combat child abuse on pornography sites. However, critics argue that the measures are insufficient and too slow to implement, with full enforcement not expected until 2025.
Why it matters
The Online Safety Act is a significant legislative effort aimed at making the internet safer for children. By requiring tech firms to implement robust age verification and adjust algorithms to filter harmful content, the act addresses growing concerns about the impact of online material on young users. This legislation is crucial as it aims to protect children from exposure to harmful content such as pornography, self-harm, and violent material. The act's implementation will likely lead to a safer online environment, but the delayed enforcement and criticisms highlight the challenges in achieving comprehensive online safety.
What the papers say
According to BBC News, Ofcom's Gill Whitehead described the new regulations as a 'major reset of the internet to make it much safer.' However, The Independent reports that bereaved parents believe the measures do not go far enough, with one parent stating, 'much more needs to be done.' The Guardian highlights the requirement for social media firms to 'tame aggressive algorithms' to protect children, while The Mirror emphasizes the need for more ambitious measures to prevent exposure to harmful content.
How we got here
The Online Safety Act was introduced in response to increasing concerns about the safety of children online. Research has shown that children are frequently exposed to harmful content, including pornography, self-harm, and violent material. The act aims to address these issues by imposing stricter regulations on tech firms, requiring them to implement robust age verification and adjust algorithms to filter harmful content. The draft Children's Safety Codes of Practice published by Ofcom outline the specific measures that tech firms must take to comply with the new law.
Common question
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